Special to OWM: Merging Missions: NPUAP 2005 Biennial Conference

    Correctly staging a pressure ulcer is often a difficult task, even for experienced clinicians. An ulcer rarely fits neatly into one of the required fields of the MDS or OASIS form; plus, these standardized forms require the wound to be backstaged as it heals.

Consequently for any given wound, conflicts in documentation are common depending on what part of the medical record is examined. To add to this confusion, current staging definitions do not adequately describe deep tissue injury (DTI) - ie, pressure-related injury under intact skin. Litigation issues often arise due to conflict among professionals on the appropriate staging for DTI. These deep tissue wounds have been called a closed pressure ulcer, deep tissue damage, and decubitus dermatitis, or may be considered unstagable. The clinical manifestations of these lesions are difficult to distinguish from Stage I or Stage II pressure ulcers even using NPUAP definitions and current research findings.

    To help resolve this dilemma, the NPUAP will be facilitating a deep tissue consensus conference this winter. A dynamic process for group decision making, a consensus conference will allow experts from multiple practice settings, organizations, industry, and government to reach an agreement regarding DTI. The 2-day working conference will include discussions on histology and natural history of pressure ulcers and DTI, current research on DTI, and level of skin involved in a Stage I or II pressure ulcer versus DTI. Results of this conference will impact practice settings, public policy, and research. Additionally, results should ultimately yield a common language for correct wound identification and staging.

    The NPUAP has extended an invitation to everyone interested in this topic. The consensus conference will be held in Tampa, Fla., February 25-26, 2005. Consecutively, a Best Practice for Assessment and Treatment of Pressure Ulcers Conference will be offered. This educational conference is designed for clinicians practicing in a wound care setting.

    For more information, please visit www.npuap.org.