News
Unavoidable Pressure Ulcers
Posted on Apr 27, 2010
A recent press release from the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP) addresses under what circumstances a pressure ulcer should be described as unavoidable:
"Unavoidable - means that the individual developed a pressure ulcer even though the provider had evaluated the individual's clinical condition and pressure ulcer risk factors; defined and implemented interventions that are consistent with individual needs goals and recognized standards of practice; monitored and evaluated the impact of the interventions; and revised the approaches as appropriate."
The press release is not ground breaking. There are circumstances where a pressure ulcer may be unavoidable. For example a patient may be too unstable to turn and reposition, but that is rare.
The NPUAP identifies important factors for determining whether a pressure ulcer is unavoidable. First, the patient must have been appropriately evaluated before developing a pressure ulcer. Second, interventions must be implemented. Examples of important interventions include turning and repositioning, nutritional support, and pressure relieving mattresses and wheelchair cushions. Third, the nursing home or hospital must monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the interventions. Lastly, they must revise the approaches as indicated. Only when a nursing home or hospital takes all of those steps can a pressure ulcer be considered unavoidable.
In many cases, nursing homes and hospitals try to hide from legal responsibility for pressure ulcers by calling them unavoidable without taking appropriate steps to prevent them. These guidelines make it clear that you can not call a pressure ulcer unavoidable without first taking all the appropriate steps to prevent them. A nursing home or hospital that fails to take appropriate steps to prevent and treat pressure ulcers should be held accountable.
If a loved one has been harmed by a nursing home or hospital that has failed to prevent and treat serious pressure ulcers, please click here to contact us by email or call us at (804) 288-1661.