CMS to Put Pressure on Providers for Decubitus Ulcer Prevention

Protective barrier creams are not readily available at the bedside

Variation from effective, established processes

Staff time constraints and employee turnover

Lack of education about basic skin care

According to the survey, skin breakdown occurs most often on the sacrum, perineum, coccyx/buttocks (75 percent) and heels (21 percent). Other areas on the body that also were mentioned include skin folds and hips.³

Patients with fecal incontinence are 22 times more likely to develop pressure ulcers than if they did not have this condition.³

Support Surfaces

A study, “Support surfaces for pressure ulcer prevention” sought to find out to what extent pressure-relieving cushions, beds, mattress overlays and mattress replacements reduce the formation of pressure ulcers compared with standard support surfaces and found that foam alternatives to the standard hospital foam mattress can reduce the incidence of pressure ulcers.⁴