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ÚLCERAS POR PRESIÓN EN CUIDADOS PALIATIVOS
Authors: Campos Campos, I
Number of views: 115
Introduction: The World Health Organization (WHO) states that "pressure ulcers are the result of ischemic necrosis at the skin level, as well as subcutaneous tissues, it is commonly created due to the pressure exerted on a bony prominence."
On the other hand, it defines palliative care as an “approach that improves the quality of life of patients and families facing the problems associated with life-threatening diseases, through the prevention and relief of suffering through early identification. And impeccable evaluation and treatment of pain and other problems, physical, psychological and spiritual.” WHO also emphasizes that Palliative Care should not be limited exclusively to the last days of life but should be applied progressively as the disease progresses and depending on the needs of patients and families.
Taking into account the two definitions, we can show that pressure ulcers will be an important problem in patients who need palliative care, an issue that we will develop in this work.
Aims: Collect information about the appearance of pressure ulcers and their prevention in the environment of palliative care. I consider that pressure ulcers are a very important issue in the care of the sick and even more in those at the end of their life, where we find a majority of patients bedridden or who cannot express what they feel.
Methodology: The work carried out is a bibliographic review for which the following databases were consulted: PubMed, Science Direct, Cuiden, SIETES, IBECS and Cochrane. Articles written in Spanish and English were reviewed.
Results: Of the 62 articles consulted, they were finally used for the results of this review 48. It is objective that pressure ulcers are a very important problem in our environment, it is considered a serious disease that affects the quality of life of patients, as well as it is considered a quality criterion of the social health centers. It also increases patient care costs. A very important fact is that they can be prevented in 95% of cases, so measures must be taken to prevent them.
There are cases in which they cannot be prevented, these are considered in patients receiving palliative care, where the comfort of the patient must prevail before the healing of the pressure ulcer.
Deficient knowledge is shown by healthcare professionals regarding the management of pressure ulcers in palliative patients.
Conclusion: Pressure ulcers are a serious entity that can be prevented in most cases. As for injuries in patients with palliative care, it should be borne in mind that patient comfort should prevail.
Much remains to be done, the training of health professionals in this area is necessary.