Because long term care facilities are using outcomes measures to show the success of treatment programs, it is important to define resident characteristics which could influence the expected outcome. They determined how frequently Stage 2, Stage 3, and Stage 4 ulcers healed and identified the resident characteristics which contributed to this healing over the next six months. Ulcers had healed in 54 percent. Seventy-two percent of residents with Stage 2 ulcers were ulcer free. Only 45 percent of residents with Stage 3 ulcers and 30 percent of residents with Stage 4 ulcers were ulcer-free after this period of time.
Pressure ulcers are more likely to heal in residents that are mobile and continent.
Targeting interventions at high risk individuals would likely improve the rate of pressure ulcer healing. Bradley, Elizabeth, et al. Findings from a Study of the Patient Self Determination Act. The PSDA mandates that health care providers inform patients in writing of their rights to execute an advance directive that complies with state law. It is the intent of this law to foster the decision making process involved with medical care treatment at the end of life.