Under Pressure: Prevention and Management of Pressure Injuries
Target Audience: Pharmacist, Pharmacy Tech
Course Overview
Pressure injuries (PIs) are localized damage to the skin or underlying soft tissue caused by pressure or pressure combined with shear that is intense, prolonged, or both. Damage to the epithelial or subcutaneous tissues, including muscle and fat, may result in an intact or open wound. They often occur when an internal, stiff anatomical structure (such as a bone) contacts a stiff external support surface (such as a mattress) for extended periods. These injuries are a significant global health issue, causing pain, reduced quality of life, and substantial financial burdens. While patients of all ages can be affected, the geriatric population and those residing in long-term care facilities are most likely affected. Effective prevention and treatment of PIs require a coordinated approach involving multiple healthcare team members and an in-depth understanding of PIs, risk identification, staging, management, and monitoring. Collaborative care approaches support shared decision-making, enabling team members to combine their expertise in wound care, nutrition, mobility, and patient education to tailor care plans.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this educational activity, participants should be able to:
- Recall risk factors for the development of pressure injuries
- Explain the staging systems used to classify the severity of pressure injuries
- Describe strategies for the prevention and management of pressure injuries
- Recall how to monitor patients with pressure injuries
Faculty
- Introduction
- Defining Pressure Injuries
- Classification of Pressure Injuries
- Epidemiology and Etiology
- Epidemiology
- Etiology
- Risk Factors for the Development of Pressure Injuries
- Pathophysiology
- Clinical Presentation and Assessment
- Prevention and Treatment Strategies
- Prevention Strategies: Skin Care
- Prevention Strategies: Pressure Redistribution
- Prevention Strategies: Nutrition
- Treatment Strategies
- Patient Education
- Summary
- Disclosures
From July 1, 2026 through December 30, 2027, participants must:
- Read the "learning objectives" and "author and planning team disclosures"
- Study the section entitled "educational activity"
- Complete the Course Test and Evaluation form. The Course Test will be graded automatically. Following successful completion of the Course Test with a score of 70% or higher, a statement of participation will be made available immediately. (No partial credit will be given.)
Credit for this course will be automatically uploaded to CPE Monitor®.
Faculty Planner Disclosure
The following individuals were involved in planning, developing, and/or authoring this activity: L. Austin Fredrickson, MD, FACP; Liz Fredrickson, PharmD, BCPS; and Pamela Sardo, PharmD, BS. None of the individuals involved in developing this activity has a conflict of interest or financial relationships related to the subject matter. There are no financial relationships or commercial or financial support relevant to this activity to report or disclose by RxCe.com or any of the individuals involved in the development of this activity.
Unlabeled Use Disclosure
The information provided in this course is general in nature, and it is designed solely to provide participants with continuing education credit(s). This course and materials are not meant to substitute for the independent, professional judgment of any participant regarding that participant's professional practice, including but not limited to patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and/or health management. Medical and pharmacy practices, rules, and laws vary from state to state, and this course does not cover the laws of each state; therefore, participants must consult the laws of their state as they relate to their professional practice. Healthcare professionals must consult their employer, healthcare facility, hospital, or other organization for guidelines, protocols, and procedures to follow. The information provided in this course does not replace those guidelines, protocols, and procedures, but is for academic purposes only, and this course's limited purpose is for the completion of continuing education credits. Participants are advised and acknowledge that information related to medications, their administration, dosing, contraindications, adverse reactions, interactions, warnings, precautions, or accepted uses is constantly changing. Any person taking this course understands that such a person must make an independent review of medication information before any patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and/or health management. Any discussion of off-label use of any medication, device, or procedure is informational only, and such uses are not endorsed hereby. Nothing contained in this course represents the opinions, views, judgments, or conclusions of RxCe.com LLC. RxCe.com LLC is not liable or responsible to any person for any inaccuracy, error, or omission with respect to this course or course material.
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Accreditation
In support of improving patient care, RxCE.com is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
PTCB Recognition
RxCe.com, LLC, offers pharmacy technician continuing education courses for PTCB recertification. Pharmacy technician courses are indicated both in the Target Audience description and the ACPE UAN which will end with a "T".