What are 12 ways to avoid the development of a pressure ulcer?
Pressure sores are wounds that develop when constant pressure or friction on one area of the body damages the skin. Constant pressure on an area of skin stops blood flowing normally, so the cells die and the skin breaks down. Other names for pressure sores are bedsores, pressure ulcers and decubitus ulcers. Pressure sores happen if you can’t move around and so stay in one position for a long time. We normally move about constantly, even in
our sleep. This stops pressure sores developing. People who are unable to move around tend to put pressure on the same areas of the body for a long time. If you are ill, bedridden or in a wheelchair, you are at risk of getting pressure sores. A number of things can increase your risk of pressure sores, including: It is much better to prevent pressure sores than to treat them. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), Healthcare Improvement Scotland and the European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (EPUAP) have guidelines on pressure sores. They all recommend that a member of the health care team looking after you should assess your risk of
developing pressure sores and create a plan to prevent them. The areas of skin most at risk of getting sore depends on whether you are lying down or sitting. The following diagrams show the areas most at risk: The following tips can help to prevent pressure sores: The importance of pressure ulcer preventionPreventive measures to adaptAdapt a holistic approachThere are different measures available(4,5) to prevent pressure ulcers. For example, whenever a patient enters a ward, a pressure ulcer risk assessment should be
used, followed by a regular skin assessment to check for any signs of sores. Ease pressure and avoid frictionsBut one of the best ways to prevent pressure sores is to change the bed lying position of the patient as much as possible. It is highly recommended to change position and alternate between back and sides at least every two hours. For chairbound patients it is recommended to use a seating surface and to implement weight shifts every 15 minutes.(5) Specialists(4,5) additionally advise:
Our solution Linovera® and Askina® to help to prevent pressure ulcersWe recommend a combination of our soft, cushion-like dressing ranges Askina® DresSil® and Askina® Foam designed to help to relieve pressure and avoid friction, with appropriate local skin moisture management products such as Askina® Barrier and Linovera®. Pressure ulcer treatment Management of Miguel's pressure ulcerOnce a pressure ulcer has developed, it is important to quickly draw up a coordinated care plan to promote healing. Learn more about how Miguel’s nurse managed to heal his bedsore. More about pressure ulcer treatment 1) Range varies among settings and classification method. Bereded DT, Salih MH, Abebe AE. Prevalence and risk factors of pressure ulcer in hospitalized adult patients; a single center study from Ethiopia. BMC Res Notes. 2018;11(1):847. Published 2018 Nov 29. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6267874/ Vanderwee K, Clark M, Dealey C, Gunningberg L, Defloor T. Pressure ulcer prevalence in Europe: a pilot study. J Eval Clin Pract. 2007;13(2):227-35. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17378869) Barrois B, Labalette C, Rousseau P, et al. A national prevalence study of pressure ulcers in French hospital inpatients. J Wound Care. 2008;17(9):373-6, 378-9. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18833894) Shahin ES, Dassen T, Halfens RJ. Pressure ulcer prevalence and incidence in intensive care patients: a literature review. Nurs Crit Care. 2008;13(2):71-9 (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18289185) Vangilder C, Lachenbruch C, Algrim-boyle C, Meyer S. The International Pressure Ulcer Prevalence™ Survey: 2006-2015: A 10-Year Pressure Injury Prevalence and Demographic Trend Analysis by Care Setting. J Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs. 2017;44(1):20-28 (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27977509) 2) Gefen, A. How much time does it take to get a pressure ulcer? Integrated evidence from human, animal, and in vitro studies. HYPERLINK "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18927481"Ostomy Wound Manage. 2008 Oct;54(10):26-8, 30-5. 3) Chapter 12- Pressure Ulcers: A Patient Safety Issue (2008), Agency for HealthCare Research and Policy (US). 4) https://www.epuap.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/quick-reference-guide-digital-npuap-epuap-pppia-jan2016.pdf 5) Hovan H, MSN, RN-BC, APRN-CNS, CWOCN-AP, (2019), Breaking Down the Braden Scale: Building Blocks for Pressure Injury Prevention. WoundSource & Kestrel Health Information5) IFU MDD Linovera® 6) IFU MDD Linovera® 7) IFU MDD Linovera® Emulsion 8) Otero DP, Domínguez DV, Fernández LH, Magariño AS, González VJ, Klepzing JV, Montesinos JV. Preventing facial pressure ulcers in patients under non-invasive mechanical ventilation: a randomised control trial. J Wound Care. 2017 Mar 2;26(3):128-136. doi: 10.12968/jowc.2017.26.3.128. PMID: 28277990. 9) López Escribano, Alonso, García Alcaraz, Francisco, Jareño Collado, Patricia, García Aranos, José, & García Piqueras, Nieves. (2007). Hyperoxygenated fatty acid effectiveness in the prevention of the pressure ulcers. Gerokomos, 18(4), 39-43. 10) Fletcher J, Beeckman D, Boyles A et al (2020) International Best Practice Recommendations: Prevention and management of moisture-associated skin damage (MASD). Wounds International. Available online at www.woundsinternational.com 11) IFU MDR Askina® Barrier Film Spray What are 5 ways to prevent pressure ulcers?Tips for skin care. Keep skin clean and dry. Wash the skin with a gentle cleanser and pat dry. ... . Protect the skin. Use moisture barrier creams to protect the skin from urine and stool. ... . Inspect the skin daily. Look closely at your skin daily for warning signs of a pressure sore.. How can you prevent a pressure ulcer from developing?Regularly changing a person's lying or sitting position is the best way to prevent pressure ulcers. Special mattresses and other aids can help to relieve pressure on at-risk areas of skin. Most pressure ulcers (bedsores) arise from sitting or lying in the same position for a long time without moving.
What 8 points are important in preventing pressure ulcers?The following tips can be used to help prevent the development of pressure ulcers.. 1 RISK ASSESSMENT. ... . 2 SKIN. ... . 3 SKIN CARE. ... . 4 MOISTURE. ... . 5 INCONTINENCE. ... . 6 NUTRITION. ... . 7 POSITION/MOBILITY. ... . 8 ERGONOMICS.. |