Using telemedicine in the treatment of pressure ulcers.

Pressure ulcers are dynamic and therefore require frequent assessment and immediate treatment. For many patients who live long distances from rehabilitation hospitals, frequent assessment and immediate treatment are often unavailable. Recent advances during the last two decades have resulted in the development of telemedicine--long-distance delivery of medical education and services to patients. This pilot study reports on a patient enrolled in a telemedicine program during his fifth hospitalization for pressure ulcers in 16 months. Although this is only a single case study, the results suggest the potential efficacy of this new intervention.