Do you know how many patients on your ward developed a pressure ulcer whilst in your care?
This week is National Pressure Ulcer Awareness Week. The aim is to raise awareness amongst patients, carers, relatives and all other Health Care Professionals as to how to prevent and manage pressure ulcers. Prevention and management of pressure ulcers is one of High Impact Actions for Nursing & Midwifery – entitled Your Skin Matters.
We have made significant strides in the prevention and care of pressure ulcers but we now need to take our approach to the next level. This week the Trust launches its campaign of zero tolerance to hospital acquired pressure ulcers – “Reach for the Moon”. We believe that all pressure ulcers are avoidable and the zero tolerance will mark the new era in the way we approach the investigation into the root cause of any pressure ulcer. In August 2011 we had 5 reported hospital acquired pressure ulcers.
The tissue viability team will be visiting all wards and carrying out 10 minute, 10 key messages regarding the “skin bundle” practice and “mattress management” for the new Hill-rom equipment soon to be available for our patients. These brief educational sessions will be delivered in clinical areas alongside company representatives. Pens and post-it notes will also be provided to teams.
There will also be tissue viability stands at Worcester, Alexandra and Kidderminster sites – you won’t be able to miss them. All the information will be available in a folder – which will enable visual discussion and help. The team are also interested in any ideas or current good practice you are implementing that can be shared and celebrated.
The tissue viability team will also be launching an incentive for the ward that can put together the “best” TV display board – could it be your ward?
There will also be suggestion boxes for patient’s relatives, carers and staff on the stands for TV to listen to views and make responsive changes.
This is an exciting time where we can make real enhancements to patient care and their experience; please ensure you are a contributing part of this success.
For more information the latest tissue viability newsletter via the link below
Best Wishes
Helen
