Pressure Ulcers Top 10

  1. How effective is repositioning in the prevention of pressure ulcers?
  2. How effective at preventing pressure ulcers is involving patients, family and lay carers in patient care? 
  3. Does the education of health and social care staff on prevention lead to a reduction in the incidence of pressure ulcers and, if so, which are the most effective education programmes (at organisational and health/social care level)?
  4. What is the relative effectiveness of the different types of pressure relieving beds, mattresses, overlays, heel protectors and cushions (including cushions for electric and self-propelling wheelchairs) in preventing pressure ulcers?
  5. What impact do different service models have on the incidence of pressure ulcers including staffing levels, continuity of care [an on-going relationship with same staff members] and the current organisation of nursing care in hospitals?  
  6. What are the best service models (and are they sufficiently accessible) to ensure that patients with pressure ulcers receive the best treatment outcomes (including whether getting people with pressure ulcers and their carers more involved in their own pressure ulcer management improves ulcer healing and if so, the most effective models of engagement)?
  7. For wheelchair users sitting on a pressure ulcer, how effective is bed rest in promoting pressure ulcer healing?
  8. How effective are wound dressings in the promotion of pressure ulcer healing?
  9. Does regular turning of patients in bed promote healing of pressure ulcers?
  10. Does improving diet (eating) and hydration (drinking) promote pressure ulcer healing?
  11. How effective are surgical operations to close pressure ulcers?
  12. How effective are topical skin care products and skin care regimes at preventing pressure ulcers? 

The remaining questions discussed at the workshop were (in no order of priority):

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For full details of all of the questions identified by this PSP, please see the document below.