Pressure ulcers in critically III patients in Saudi Arabia: An opportunity for collaborative research on an ugly disease

Abstract

Pressure ulcers are common in critically ill patients and are associated with increased morbidity, mortality and cost. Studies on pressure ulcer prevention and management indicate the need for multifaceted care and multidisciplinary involvement. However, there are obvious deficits in pressure ulcer prevention efforts and care worldwide. Studies on pressure ulcers acquired in the intensive care unit (ICU) in Saudi Arabia are scarce. We propose a study to determine in Saudi ICUs pressure ulcer prevalence, risk factors, management and outcomes to improve the related care processes.