Predicting and preventing pressure ulcers in surgical patients.

Pressure ulcers, regardless of their origin, represent negative outcomes for patients, including pain, additional treatments and surgery longer hospital stays, disfigurement or scarring, increased morbidity, and increased costs. The or is a high-risk environment for the development of pressure ulcers. Preoperative identification of patients at risk for pressure ulcer development is imperative if cost-effective, evidence-based preventive measures are to be implemented. This article presents a review of the literature pertaining to pressure ulcer development in surgical patients. Recommendations for future research and implications for practice are provided.