Portrait of practice: developing a systematic approach for the management of pressure ulcers.

Pressure ulcer management is an increasingly serious problem for the healthcare industry. It is necessary for acute care facilities to examine the benefits of developing a comprehensive skin care protocol for pressure ulcer management. Increased and continuous staff awareness produces quality patient care and cost effectiveness. The description of the development, use, and auditing of a skin care protocol by Western Reserve Care System is representative of many institutions across the country.