Learning Objectives:

1. Explain the standards of nutritional care used in the prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers.

2. Identify the standards of nursing care used in the prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers.

Every pressure ulcer is unique and various articles, wound care books, textbooks and medical supply companies present many different treatment options for pressure ulcers. Therefore, it is essential to become familiar with the literature and best practices that are supported by evidence-based research which validates different prevention and treatment options.

The speakers will discuss the causes of pressure ulcers in elderly adults and best practices in the prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers. Also, discussion will include the new changes to the staging definitions of pressure ulcers and the various treatment options for those stages, avoidable versus unavoidable pressure ulcers and the role of nutrition in the prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers. The speakers will identify the preventive and treatment measures for pressure ulcers that nursing and nutrition experts use in defending or making a claim against a long term care facility. The importance of appropriate and timely documentation in defending against, or making, a pressure ulcer claim also will be discussed.