Pennine Acute Trust supports ‘Stop Pressure Ulcer Day’

Pennine Acute Trust supports ‘Stop Pressure Ulcer Day’

The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is taking part in and supporting ‘International Stop Pressure Ulcer Day’.

Pressure ulcers (or bed sores as they are more commonly known) occur when the skin and the tissue beneath it becomes damaged, typically occurring among patients who cannot move or have lost sensation. Prolonged periods of immobility put pressure on the skin, soft tissue, or bone, causing tissue damage to develop.

Judy Harker, Tissue Viability Nurse Consultant at The Pennine Acute Trust, said: "Pressure ulcer prevention is not a new priority for the Trust. Over the last two years we have stepped up our efforts to reduce pressure ulcers across our hospitals. Our Tissue Viability team has been working closely with staff at all levels of the organization to raise awareness of the importance of identifying and managing pressure ulcers correctly. In the hospital environment, simple measures are followed, such as observing patients’ skin, and changing the position of patients at regular intervals.

“The ways in which pressure ulcers are reported and the standards of reporting vary hugely from Trust to Trust. However, in Pennine we have made significant progress in the last year, particularly with our record keeping and risk assessments. Through greater awareness and improved training, our staff are now better at identifying, reporting and managing pressure ulcers.

“Pressure sores are largely preventable. From a patient safety perspective it is important that we do our best to prevent pressure ulcers from ever occurring. Pressure ulcers can have emotional, mental, physical and social effects on the quality of life for patients which is why the Trust is dedicated to preventing these types of tissue damage for patients in our care.”

Mrs Carol Faust was admitted to The Royal Oldham Hospital following a fall in her kitchen. Tissue viability equipment co-ordinator Nuala O’Brien from the Trust visited her and staff on ward T7 to advise how they could prevent Carol from developing pressure ulcers as she was immobile, lying on her back due to the injury she had sustained.

Nuala said: “Patients on trauma and orthopaedic wards are known to be at greater risk of pressure ulcers as they are often confined to bed and unable to move. After a head to toe inspection looking for any signs which would indicate the skin was vulnerable to breakdown, staff implemented a regular turning regime for Carol on a special alternating pressure mattress. These mattresses are made up of a series of air cells which inflate and deflate at regular intervals providing pressure relief to each part of the body.”

Carol said: “I was extremely comfortable during my stay in hospital and felt very well cared for.”

As part of the campaign, the public, hospital staff and local healthcare professionals are being invited to attend a free presentation event by Judy Harker, the Pennine Acute Trust’s Tissue Viability Nurse Consultant, on Friday 16 November 11am -12 pm at the Education Centre at The Royal Oldham Hospital. 

The presentation aims to give an overview of the extent of the problem, the human and financial cost of pressure ulcers and who is likely to develop this problem. It will also cover where pressure ulcers occur and helpful tips on how to identify them. As the majority of pressure ulcers are thought to be preventable, the remainder of the session will focus on the best ways to avoid them.