Do no harm: reducing pressure ulcers in a care home setting

As described by the EuropeanPressure ulcer Advisory Panel (EPUAP), a pressure ulcer is 'a localised injury to the skin and/or underlying tissue, usually over a boney prominence, as a result of pressure or pressure in combination with shear.'¹ The forces of pressure are further exacerbated by moisture and other factors relating to the individual's physical condition, such as poor nutritional status, reduced mobility and underlying medical conditions.^2,3

The estimated cost to the NHS of treating pressure ulcers and related conditions is up to £4bn a year, with the most severe cases ranging from £11,000 to £40,000 per person.⁴

In recent years the emphasis on preventative healthcare, efficiency and patient care has moved the subject of pressure ulcers up political agendas.⁵ Protecting patients from pressure damage is a fundamental requirement of nursing and other professions allied to healthcare.⁶ In 2010 the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) adopted a 'zero tolerance' approach to pressure ulcers advising that all NHS organisations in England and Wales should work towards this goal.^7,8