Pressure ulcer stage 2..what would you use?

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When I see what I think is a stage 1 pressure ulcer, I would slap on a Coloplast comfeel dressing and make sure the pt is turned q2h. Correct me if there are better options.

If you see a stage 2 (skin tear, bleeding) on a pt, what would you use before the wound care nurse has a chance to see it and provide recommendations?

Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

Most of our pt's get a Mepilex sacrum to their sacrum upon admission. :yes:

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Specializes in Med/Surg/ICU/Stepdown.

My hospital has a SWAT team dedicated to assessing the wounds and making recommendations for their tx, which the doctors include in their order set without a second thought. I adhere to the SWAT order set and if I have a question about a newly developing PU, I can place a consult for the wound care nurses myself and use an MD cosign to make sure the order is carried out.

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Specializes in critical care.

We also use the Mepilex on all intact sacrums, including Stage I. For a sacral Stage II (and a skin tear is not a pressure ulcer, btw) we use a heavy-duty barrier cream (same as for moisture - associated skin damage). For stage 2 elsewhere, we would probably use a non adhesive foam such as Allevyn.

I am on our unit skin integrity committee and designed a flowchart to help nurses choose the correct skin care for most situations. It's pretty nifty.

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Specializes in CWON - Certified Wound and Ostomy Nurse.

Ktlitz, is the barrier cream clear or a thick white paste? If it's the thick white paste how is it being removed and how often? I'm asking because I often see it misused and if not correctly removed it can actually cause more tissue damage. Mepilex is appropriate for stage II's. It will help prevent shear/friction and displaces some pressure.

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Specializes in Med/Surg/ICU/Stepdown.
Most of our pt's get a Mepilex sacrum to their sacrum upon admission. :yes:

We use Mepilex dressings preventatively on anyone we suspect would develop a PU secondary to their Braden score. It's definitely a good way to help the prevention of hospital acquired ones, that's for sure!

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Specializes in critical care.

It is the thick white kind. We are only supposed to remove it with daily baths using soap & water. There are some nurses who want to remove it with every clean- up but we are working on educating. We are also working on getting the clear cream...that stuff is cool!

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