Trust takes action on pressure sores

One of the Trust’s priorities this year is reducing avoidable pressure ulcers. Many patients are at a greater risk of developing them while in hospital, due to lack of mobility and their condition.

 

Lisa Knight, deputy chief nurse, said: “Pressure sores can cause great discomfort and pain for patients, and there’s lots of evidence to show that when they occur patients also take longer to recover. They can seriously affect quality of life, so we are taking measures to prevent pressure sores where possible.” These measures have included:

• A specialist nurse has been chosen on every ward to attend regular tissue viability training, provide advice to colleagues and ensure all the necessary procedures to prevent pressure ulcers are followed
• A tissue viability nurse has been hired specifically to prevent ulcers and manage pressure-relieving equipment
• All serious (grade 3 or 4) pressure ulcers are analysed to understand why they have happened, and individual ward action plans are written to prevent them from recurring

The Trust has started monthly reporting of all hospital-acquired pressure ulcers by grade, which will enable us to chart progress on our target – providing kind, safe and excellent care for our patients.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back to top