Have you ever noticed that sitting in the same position can get uncomfortable over time? That is your cue to change positions. But, what if you are unable to adjust or move, causing constant pressure on your skin, which restricts blood flow. Without constant blood flow, the skin and tissue beneath is depleted of oxygen and nutrients and begins to die. This is how many of our patients feel and how pressure injuries occur.
NHRMC will join hospitals across the country and globe in observing World Wide Pressure Injury Prevention Day, November 15, 2018. Preventing a pressure injury is a team effort in utilizing the skills and tools to prevent pressure injuries. The cost of treating a single full-thickness pressure injury can be as high as $70,000. World Wide Prevention Day began in 2013 and is growing in recognition from many governing bodies across the world. The celebration is sponsored by the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (www.npuap.org).
Hospital acquired pressure injuries (HAPI) affect more than 2.5 million patients in the U.S., resulting in significant patient harm including pain, expensive treatments, increased length of stay, and premature mortality. Stage 3,4, Unstageable Pressure Injuries are Serious Reportable Events per the National Quality Forum and followed by NHRMC. NHRMC offers high quality care from dedicated staff. We want to recognize the efforts of our staff as all disciplines engage in prevention efforts.
Practice Standards
- Movement & Comfort
- Turn and reposition patients every 2 hours
- Using the appropriate bed surface
- Implement offloading tools - Sage Turning & repositioning system (TAP), Sage heel lift boots to offload heels and ankles, and a wheelchair cushion if out of the bed to chair or recliner
(All supplies available from distribution if not housed in your supply rooms. PAR book scan Lawson #S: 216298 -Patient positioning system; 163109 – Standard heel lift offloading boots; 10721 – Wheelchair cushion)
- Skin Care & Cleansing
- Properly washing and drying skin
- Manage the patient’s sweat, bladder and bowel habits
(All supplies available from distribution if not housed in your supply rooms. PAR book scan Lawson #S: Condom catheters 4134 -sm, 4137 -med, 4136 -lrg; 214297 – Pad Ultrasorb; 156498 - fecal management system; 1074 - external fecal pouch)
- Gently wash—don’t scrub—the patient skin with a soft sponge or bathing cloth
- Skin protectant products for protection
- Zinc based skin products for treatment breakdown
(Zinc Barrier Spray on unit supply carts; Endit & Baza creams – pharmacy items)
- Diet & Nutrition
- Proper nutrition helps keep skin and muscles strong, which helps prevent pressure injuries and promotes healing if a pressure injury occurs
- Consult nutrition services as indicated
- Consult WOC services for all Stage 3, 4, Unstageable, and Deep Tissue Injuries when identified.
Identifying Patients at Risk:
- Braden Risk Score of 18 or less
- Bed or chair confined patients
- Patients who can’t move because of an illness or medical condition.
- Patients who can’t move because it’s too painful
- Patients with surgery that might last 3+ hours
- Patients using a wheelchair or sitting in a recliner for more than 2 hours
Learn and win
Get in on the action and win some prizes. Complete the below word find and email or fax for a chance to win. Be sure to include your name, department and email address to your submission.
Pressure Injury Word Search
Submissions can also be faxed to 910-667-5342 or emailed to: [email protected] Deadline is 11/18/18.
Prizes:
- Movie Tickets (2 sets of 2)