Keywords

National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel staging definitions, pressure injury, pressure ulcer

Authors

1. Ayello, Elizabeth A. PhD, RN, ACNS-BC, CWON, ETN, MAPWCA, FAAN
2. Lobo, Guadalupe Maria MBA, BSN, RN
3. Sibbald, R. Gary BSc, MD, DSc (Hons), MEd, FRCPC (Med Derm), FAAD, MAPWCA

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Since the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP) held its consensus conference in April 2016, various wound care specialists and professional organizations have been disseminating their response to the revised pressure injury staging definitions. The purpose of this survey was to get an objective perspective of the new NPUAP terminology and staging definitions changes from wound care colleagues outside the United States.

PARTICIPANTS: In an attempt to obtain the opinions of wound care specialists outside the United States, a convenience sample from some countries in Latin America was invited to complete a survey during the Mexican Association for Integral Care and Wound Healing conference. In addition, students enrolled in the International Interprofessional Wound Care Course conducted in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, were also invited to participate in a revised NPUAP staging definition survey.

RESULTS: Survey responses reveal strong support for the changes with consensus agreement greater than 80% on all survey items.

CONCLUSIONS: These survey results can contribute to a universal agreement on terminology and definitions for pressure-related wounds, which may ultimately improve patient care.