Reviewing the literature Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Reviewing the literature - Essay Example 5). The elderly, the malnourished, and those with acute illness are the most vulnerable (Moore and Cowman, 2010, p. 5). Pressure ulcers are a serious problem for older people because of pain, osteomyelitis, sepsis, and mortality that can be associated with the condition (Graumlich et al., 2003, p. 147). Up to 18% of the hospitalized can have pressure sores or ulcers (Moore and Cowman, 2010, p. 5). In nursing homes, a prevalence of 24% was reported (Graumlich et al., 2003, p. 147). Among surgical patients, the incidence of pressure ulcers can be as high as 12 to 45% (Armstrong et al., 2003, p. 647). Pressure sores or ulcers arise when pressure from lying or sitting on a particular body area result to tissue damage and oxygen deprivation to the affected area (Moore and Cowman, 2010, p. 5). Because of continuous pressure, tissues are depleted of blood flow, waste products are not removed from the wound and the wound fails to get oxygen and nutrient supply that are all necessary for heal ing (Moore and Cowman, 2010, p. 5). According to Graumlich et al. (2003, p. ... In the United States, Graumlich et al. (2001, p. 645) estimated that the cost of treatment for pressure ulcers exceeded US$1 billion annually. Heyneman et al. (2008, p. 1165) reported based on the study of Severens and others in 2002 that the cost of pressure ulcers is about 1% of the health care budget. Of course, prevention is the cornerstone of care for pressure ulcer (Heyneman et al., 2008, p. 1165). However, when pressure ulcers already took place, there are several modes of treatments available. One of them is repositioning (Moore and Cowman, 2010). Another mode of treatment involves the use of collagen (Graumlich et al., 2003). Still another treatment involves the use of phenytoin (Hollisaz et al., 2004). Finally, another way is through hydrocolloids (Hollisaz et al., 2004; Belmin et al., 2002; Heyneman et al., 2008; Graumlich et al., 2003; and Thomas, 2008). The modes of treatments enumerated do not exhaust the modes of treatments feasible or possible on pressure ulcers but w e focus on the use of hydrocolloids. Heyneman et al. (2008, p. 1165) reported that a wide range of treatment is available and the treatment methods can be subdivided into secondary prevention, topical products, surgical treatment and physiotherapy. The word â€Å"hydrocolloids† was coined in the 1960s in the development of mucoadhesives in the combination between carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) with adhesives and tackifiers for treating mouth ulcers (Thomas, 2008, p. 602). Thomas (2008, p. 602) reported the term hydrocolloids was subsequently adopted to describe a new type of dressing based on the technology (Thomas, 2008, p. 602). The dressing technology identified as hydrocolloid, a hydrophilic gelable mass was applied in a