17^th Nurse Practitioners & Critical Care Nursing Conference

Pressure ulcers are often considered a problem in the adult population; however, studies shows that pressure ulcers do occur in the pediatric population also.

The review of literature suggests the pediatric population is at risk for pressure ulcer development. It reveals limited information on pediatric skin care issues. The prevention of pressure ulcers and maintenance of skin integrity often is not a high priority especially in the critically ill child, especially those supported on mechanical ventilation.

Prevention and management of pressure ulcers is multifaceted. One must understand the underlying physiology, and the factors that put infants and children at risk for developing pressure ulcers.

The purpose of our review was to document the prevalence of pressure ulcers and other types of skin breakdown in our pediatric critical care unit high frequency ventilated patients by applying new skin care strategies.

 

SETTING AND SUBJECTS: Twenty beds, pediatric critical care unit in King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, KSA.

In March -2014 , we applied new skin care protocol for High frequency patients aiming zero skin ulcers , which was achieved.

A total of 586 admissions between March-2014 , and Feb-2015 , on bed rest in the PICU for at least 24 hrs without preexisting pressure ulcers we have 259 High frequency ventilation days.

Pressure ulcers were staged according to the American National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel Consensus Development Conference recommendations.

 

CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of pressure ulcers was zero in the group reviewed, who the new skin care protocol applied for them.