Appropriate patient positioning

Low-air-loss surface

Air-fluidized bed

Monitor

Ulcer healing properly?

Yes

No

Monitor

Reevaluate plan of care

Ulcer healing properly?

No

Yes

End

Able to keep ulcer off surface?

No

Yes

Use device that moves air across skin

Skin moisture a problem?

Yes

No

Dynamic overlay or mattress

Patient bottoms out?

Yes

No

Ulcer healing properly?

No

Yes

No special surface needed

Patient at risk for additional ulcers?

Yes

No

Static device

Multiple turning surface available?

No

Yes

Patient bottoms out?

Yes

No

Ulcer healing properly?

No

Yes

Multiple, large, truncal stage III or IV ulcers?

Yes

Yes

No