Preventing Facial Pressure Ulcers in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS).

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In patients with acute lung injury and/or severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), prone positioning is a therapeutic intervention to improve oxygenation. Positioning a patient in a prone position increases the risk of medical device-related pressure ulcers in the facial area. CASE STUDIES This article summarizes experience with 4 patients with ARDS. Two did not receive pressure ulcer preventive measures and subsequently developed multiple necrotic facial pressure ulcers related to prone positioning for treatment of ARDS. The other 2 patients were managed on a thin silicone foam dressing; neither of these patients developed facial pressure ulcers during pronation therapy. CONCLUSION: The use of thin soft silicone foam dressings may prevent the development of facial deep tissue injuries in patients receiving prolonged pronation therapy.