Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust (LPT) is holding a pressure ulcer prevention conference during Stop the Pressure week; a national, annual awareness week that highlights the importance of pressure ulcer prevention.
Pressure ulcers, sometimes known as bed or pressure sores, can be incredibly distressing and painful – and can become life-threatening if they become infected. They usually develop gradually on bony parts of the body, such as the heels, elbows, hips and bottom.
At the event, LPT health and nursing staff will learn more about importance of nutrition and hydration for pressure ulcer prevention, hear first-hand experiences of living with a pressure ulcer and have training in how to use new resources and materials to support patient care and pressure ulcer identification on different skin tones.
Hannah Blackwell, LPT’s tissue viability service clinical lead, said: “As a Trust, we are committed to investing in staff education to make sure our patients receive the best care possible. It is widely recognised that skin tone bias can result in poor pressure ulcer identification and care. Traditional training taught healthcare professionals to look for redness in identifying pressure ulcers, but not all skin goes red. The new resources we will share are designed to help clinicians have conversations with their patients and families about pressure ulcers – and include information about signs and symptoms to look out for based on different skin tones and risk factors. By having these conversations, we hope to empower patients and prevent avoidable pressure ulcers from developing.”
About pressure ulcers
Anyone can get a pressure ulcer, but there are things that make people more at risk. These include: having difficulty moving, recently having surgery or being seriously ill, being underweight, having swollen, sweaty or fragile skin, having poor circulation and smoking.
Some of the best ways to prevent pressure ulcers include:
- changing positions regularly if you spend a lot of time sat or lying down
- keeping skin clean and dry
- checking and monitoring the skin for pressure ulcer symptoms. It is important to be aware of what its normal for your skin; things to look out for are changes in texture, pain, temperature, itchiness or any redness on white skin or blue or purpleness on black or brown skin.
- staying active and moving, if possible, as this will encourage blood to flow and keep the skin healthy.
- eating a healthy balanced diet and keeping hydrated
- using the correct pressure ulcer relieving equipment if it is needed and
- reporting any issues or changes to a health professional.
Pressure ulcers usually begin with visual changes or the skin feeling warm, spongy or hard. If no action is taken they can go on to blister, weep or become an open wound. They are preventable and with right actions, support and care they can get better.
Hannah added: “It is important to know what is normal for your skin and to let someone know if you notice anything that is worrying you. Our healthcare professionals care about your views – please talk to us so that we can provide you with right advice and support.”
For tips on movements and exercises you can do to help to reduce pressure ulcers watch our short video: