Pressure ulcers prevention guide

Who is at risk?

• If you are unable to move or change position without help
• If you have to stay in a bed, chair or wheelchair
• If you have had pressure ulcers in the past
• If you are elderly or have suffered an injury
• If you have a serious illness
• If you have reduced sensation or feeling (for example a stroke)
• If you are incontinent or you have moist skin
• If you have a poor diet and/or fluid intake
• If you have heart problems or poor circulation
• If you are under or overweight
• If you have a cognitive impairment (trouble remembering, learning new things or making decisions that affect your everyday life).

Prevention is better than cure

If you or your carer thinks that you might be developing a pressure ulcer, inform your health care professional / nurse immediately.

Your health and wellbeing is important to us. Advice on how to stay healthy and prevent
pressure ulcers can be found NHS Choices website

We can also direct you to other services or activities which may be able to support you.

Your health care professional or carer may assess whether you are at risk of developing a pressure ulcer. This will involve examining you and asking you some questions. If necessary, a plan of care will be discussed with you that may involve the use of specialist equipment such as mattresses for your bed or cushions for when you sit.

Your pressure ulcer may require dressings or other treatments that will be discussed with you by your health care professional.

What can you do?

Movement: change your position regularly, if you are able to do so. If you have limited movement the healthcare team looking after you will advise regarding repositioning.

Look: check your own skin for early signs of pressure damage. Your nurse or carer should be able to help with this.

Do not rub/massage: this can cause more damage/irritation to areas of skin.

Keep skin clean and dry: moisture and wetness increases the risk of damage. The use of
talc or creams is not advised (unless specifically prescribed by your doctor or nurse). A barrier cream can be used if it is recommended.

Diet: eat a balanced diet and drink plenty of fluids. You may need to be referred to a dietitian for a specialist advice.

Carers: If you are looking after someone who cannot change position themselves, seek advice from a health professional on how to reposition patients correctly.

Skin inspection

What to look for:

• Signs of pain and discomfort – verbal or non verbal communication
• Redness is the first response after applying real pressure to pale white
• Purple or blueish patches on darker or black skin.

If you see a red or purple or bluish area:

• Press your finger over the reddened or purple or bluish area for 15 seconds, then lift up finger. When you take your finger off the area, it should turn white or pale (called blanche)
• If the area blanches, it is not a pressure ulcer. If it doesn’t blanche, it may be a pressure ulcer.

Early signs of a pressure ulcer:

• Skin colour – goes redder or darker
• Heat
• Discomfort or pain
• Blistering
• Skin damage.

Our patients matter

Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust listens and responds to patients and their carers to help improve the services we deliver.

If you have any comments, compliments or concerns you can speak with a member of staff or contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) and Complaints Team.

Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust
V7 Building
Kings Business Park
Prescot
Merseyside
L34 1PJ

Telephone: 0151 471 2377 - freephone: 0800 328 2941

Email: palsandcomplaints@merseycare.nhs.uk