Pressure Ulcer Prevention Awareness Week

29th September – 1st October 2010

Tissue Viability Link Nurse

Consequences of pressure ulcers

Patient safety Impact on patient Quality of Care

indicator Financial impact

Definition of pressure ulcer

“localised injury to the skin and/underlying tissue usually over a bony prominence, as a result of pressure or pressure in combination with shear” (EPUAP & NPUAP 2009)

Grade or category?(Harm to the patient!)

Pride in reducing pressure ulcers to zero!

Pressure relief: regular repositioning, limited seating use equipment safely and appropriately

Record: outcomes of risk assessments and actions taken

Include: daily skin inspection, management of continence and moisture

Diet: optimise nutrition and hydration Education and Expertise: involve the patient,

utilise the expertise of the MDT in pressure ulcer prevention

Hospital and Community Acquired Pressure Damage 25% reduction of

Grade 3 and 4 Complete adverse

incident form (AIR) Ensure accurate

information recorded

Refer to Tissue Viability

Summary Pressure ulcer

prevention is fundamental to patient care

Risk assessment is essential

Implement prevention strategy before damage occurs

Report as Adverse Incident