What is HAPU Full Form in Medical?

The HAPU Full Form in Medical is Hospital Acquired Pressure Ulcer. These ulcers are frequently formed by continuous pressure on the skin over bony sites such as the sacrum, heels, elbows, or hips, resulting in tissue destruction. When a patient is motionless for a lengthy period of time, such as when they are bedridden or unable to reposition themselves due to illness or surgery, the pressure reduces blood supply to the affected areas, causing the skin and underlying tissues to deteriorate.

Causes and risk factors:

The most common cause is prolonged pressure on the skin, although other risk factors include immobility, poor nutrition, dehydration, and wetness from perspiration or incontinence. Impaired circulation, underlying medical disorders such as diabetes or vascular diseases, and diminished sensory perception all have a role in a patient’s capacity to perceive discomfort and move to relieve pressure.

Prevention and management of pressure ulcers:

Preventing HAPUs necessitates aggressive care, early detection of high-risk patients, and regular skin integrity testing. Healthcare providers adopt measures such as frequent repositioning of bedridden patients, the use of pressure-relieving devices (such as customized beds and cushions), and ensuring that patients receive appropriate nutrition and hydration. Skin examinations should be performed on a regular basis, particularly for high-risk patients, to detect early symptoms of pressure injury. When a HAPU has formed, treatment consists of wound care, which includes cleansing, debridement of necrotic tissue, and the application of specific dressings to encourage healing.