Pressure Ulcer Prevention
Awareness Week
29th September – 1st October
2010
Tissue Viability Link Nurse
Consequences of pressure
ulcers
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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!
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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

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25% reduction of
Grade 3 and 4
Complete adverse
incident form (AIR)
Ensure accurate
information recorded
Refer to Tissue
Viability
Summary
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Pressure ulcer
prevention is
fundamental to patient
care
Risk assessment is
essential
Implement prevention
strategy before damage
occurs
Report as Adverse
Incident