Prevention of Sacral Pressure Ulcers With Preventive Dressings

In this study we would like to find a way to prevent sacral pressure ulcers in high-risk patients by the use of a Mepilex sacral dressing. The research question we would like to answer is the following: Is the Mepilex sacral dressing a cost-effective dressing for the prevention of grade I to grade IV pressure ulcers in the sacral region in higher-risk hospitalized patients?

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age: ≥18 years
• Admission in one of the ten high-risk departments of the azM
• Suspected hospital stay of 5 days or more after admission
• Braden score 19 or less

Exclusion Criteria:

• Age: <18 years
• Pre-existing sacral pressure ulcer
• Pre-existing trauma to the sacrum
• Patient is unable to speak Dutch
• Patients with an inability to give informed consent
• Patients who are unable to give informed consent within 24h after admission
• Patients who are unable to give informed consent before surgery