Pressure injury prevention (PIP) is an important area of patient safety. Encouraging patient participation in care is a growing trend in healthcare as it can increase adherence to treatment plans and improve outcomes.
Patients in acute care settings may be able to take on an active role in PIP. However, there is limited information on patients’ views of their perceived role in PIP. The aims of our study were to survey hospitalized patients’ views on
a) their perceived roles in PIP and,
b) factors that enable or inhibit patient participation in PIP strategies.
Pressure injuries (PIs) (also known as pressure sores, pressure ulcers or decubitus ulcers) are areas of localized damage affecting the skin and underlying tissue which results from pressure, and/or shear - Hospital acquired pressure injuries (HAPI).
Certain areas of our bodies are more prone to pressure sores, especially for individuals with limited mobility. For individuals confined to a wheelchair, the most common places for sores to occur are:
· shoulder blades
· spine or sacral area
· back of the head
· neck
· back of the arms and legs
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For those that are typically bedridden, the most common places for pressure injuries are:
· Hips
· lower back
· back of knees
· back or sides of the head/ear
Each patient’s physical condition influences the potential for pressure injury:
· general skin condition
· nutritional status (weight, weight loss, serum albumin level)
· fecal and urinary incontinence
There are several key recommendations to pressure injuries:
· Avoid using hot water, and use only mild cleansing agents that minimize irritation and dryness of the skin.
· Avoid low humidity because it promotes scaling and dryness, which has been associated with pressure ulcer development.
· During skincare, avoid vigorous massage over reddened, bony prominences because evidence suggests that this leads to deep tissue trauma.
· Skin breakdown caused by friction may be mitigated by the use of lubricants, protective films, protective dressings, and protective padding.
To ensure successful participation in PIP, patients require education throughout admission, management of pain and discomfort and a supportive and collaborative relationship with health care staff.
Health professionals should identify patient ability and motivation to prevent pressure injury (PI), work in partnership with patients to adhere to PIP, and ensure that PIP actions are facilitated with appropriate pain relief.
