Decubitus ulcer……..A case study

Pressure ulceration of the skin is a pervasive problem in health care. The cost of the problem is enormous, both in terms of individual human suffering and in terms of the financial expenses to society. Approximately 60,000 people a year die from complications of pressure ulcers. The epidemiology reveals at least three major at risk groups: (1) the young neurologically impaired patient, (2) the elderly patient, (3) the hospitalized patient. Healthy and mobile individuals make numerous postural adjustments throughout the day to prevent pressure sores from ever developing. These subtle movements we take for granted are not possible for patients who are paralyzed, injured, ill or very old and frail. For them, pressure ulcers are a constant risk.