Monitoring pressure ulcer healing in persons with disabilities

Rehabil Nurs. 2005 May-Jun;30(3):92-9. doi: 10.1002/j.2048-7940.2005.tb00369.x.

Abstract

Pressure ulcers are a high-risk, high-volume, and high-cost problem for persons with disabilities. This article describes four tools published in the literature and reports the validity, reliability, strengths, and limitations of each. These tools include the Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing (PUSH), the Pressure Sore Status Tool (PSST), the Sussman Wound Healing Tool (SWHT), and the Sessing Scale. Rehabilitation nurses should use a consistent framework with accurate quantification to assess, document, and monitor changes in pressure ulcers over time. Such a measurement tool must prove valid for the disabled population in which the tool is used. This will enable healthcare providers to communicate more effectively and evaluate the therapeutic plan of care.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Disabled Persons / rehabilitation*
  • Humans
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • Pressure Ulcer / classification
  • Pressure Ulcer / nursing*
  • Pressure Ulcer / physiopathology
  • Pressure Ulcer / rehabilitation*
  • Rehabilitation Nursing / instrumentation
  • Rehabilitation Nursing / methods*
  • Rehabilitation Nursing / standards
  • Weights and Measures
  • Wound Healing*