The National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP) recently released The Role of Nutrition in Pressure Ulcer
Prevention and Treatment: National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel White
Paper. This document reviews currently available scientific evidence
related to nutrition and hydration for pressure ulcer (pressure sore, bed sore, decubitus ulcer) prevention and
treatment in adults. In addition, it introduces the nutrition
recommendations from the new National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel
(NPUAP) and European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (EPUAP) Guidelines
for Pressure Ulcer Treatment.
One to three million people develop pressure ulcers (commonly known as
bed sores) in the U.S. each year. Pressure ulcers reduce overall
quality of life by causing pain and suffering and increasing morbidity
and mortality. They create a major burden on the health care system by increasing staff time needed and dramatically increasing the cost of
healthcare, not to mention the increased risk of liability. Any
intervention that can help to prevent and/or treat pressure ulcers is
important.
According to the panel, nutrition is one intervention that plays an important role in the prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers. Known risk factors for pressure ulcer development include compromised nutritional weight loss, undernutrition, protein energy malnutrition and dehydration, as well as
low body mass index, reduced food intake and impaired ability to eat
independently. In addition, undernutrition and protein energy
malnutrition can negatively impact pressure ulcer healing.
Early nutrition screening, along with assessment and intervention by a
registered dietitian are essential for preventing and/or treating
pressure ulcers. Detailed information regarding nutrition screening,
assessment and intervention are reviewed in the paper. Each clinician
must use expert clinical judgment based on a through medical and
nutritional assessment to make appropriate individualized
recommendations. For more, see the press release.
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Robert W. Carter, Jr. is a Virginia attorney whose law practice is
dedicated to protecting the rights of the victims of nursing
home and assisted living neglect and abuse in Richmond, Roanoke,
Norfolk, Lynchburg, Danville, Charlottesville, and across Virginia.
