What's The Difference Between Suspected Deep Tissue Injuries and Shallow Pressure Ulcers?

Have you ever wondered what's the difference between Suspected Deep Tissue Injuries (DTI) and Shallow Pressure Ulcers?  Here is a brief explanation.

Suspected Deep Tissue Injuries (DTI) can be purple in color at the localized area with discolored intact skin or blood filled blister.  Underlying soft tissue may be damaged  from pressure or shear and may be preceded by tissue that is painful, firm, mushy, boggy, warmer, or cooler as compared to adjacent tissue.  It's recommended to monitor the skin here as it's can quickly develop into an open wound that may change treatment. 

Hollister Wound Care recommends using Hydrocolloid Extra Thin Dressing to protect from friction and shear.

Shallow Pressure Ulcers are superficial and appear as an abrasion, blister or partial-thickness skin loss.  A shallow open ulcer with pink/red wound bed and without slough.  Can be shiny or dry shallow ulcer without slough or bruising.  Slough is stringy, necrotic tissue that is usually yellow, tan, gray, green or brown in color.  An ulcer describes loss of epidermis, dermis or mucous membrane with definite margins.

Hollister Wound Care recommends using Restore Hydrogel Dressing (for Dry wounds) and Restore Hydrocolloid Dressings (light to moderate exudate) or Restore Foam Dressing (moderate exudate).