Chronic venous insufficiency: a focus on prevention of venous ulceration.

Chronic venous insufficiency of the lower extremities is a common medical problem, with a high prevalence among older persons. Among the costly complications of this disease is venous ulceration, which adversely affects quality of life. As the population of older persons increases, the prevalence of this disease and resulting complications is expected to increase proportionately. Prevention of venous ulcers is key to containing health care costs and improving the overall quality of life for patients affected by chronic venous insufficiency. Armed with an understanding of the pathogenesis of the disease process and its clinical signs, ET nurses and other health care professionals must use their skills to identify and educate patients at risk. Prevention programs should be developed and implemented to prevent venous ulceration among patients with or at risk for chronic venous insufficiency.