The relationship between dermal pressure ulcers, oxygenation and perfusion in mechanically ventilated patients

Mechanically ventilated patients are vulnerable to developing dermal pressure ulcers as evidence by 20% of the subject population developing a dermal pressure ulcer. The most significant factors related to a low Braden Score in this group are fluid shifts and fluid weight gain. This may be an important predictor of dermal pressure ulcers not currently assessed clinically.