Skin Dressings Versus Lubrication to Prevent Pressure Ulcers: A Randomized Trial (PENFUP)

Participants will receive, in addition to the experimental/control interventions, background skin care measures, including anti- bedsore mattresses; body position changes every two hours, and shear/friction reduction. Trained nurses will review all participants' charts and verify any report of PU until the first ambulation, discharge or death. Patients with a verified PU are referred to the institutional wound care group. For the purpose of outcome adjudication, study personnel will email digital pictures to 2 independent, blinded outcome assessors (experts in skin care). Skin lesions will be rated in 4-level scale (EPUAP/NPUAP). In case of disagreement, a single, independent referee will confirm the presence/absence of any potential PU. The unit for analysis will be patients developing (first occurrence, in a time-to-event analysis) PUs in the areas covered by the interventions. See further details on eligibility, interventions and study outcomes below