Question

Maintaining patients’ skin integrity decreases hospital-acquired infection rates and reduces patients’ length of stay. Respond in one well-developed paragraph,  three to five objectives that will help you enhance your knowledge about providing safe care to patients who may have challenges to their skin integrity

Answer 1

Ans) A pressure ulcer is defined as “a localised injury to the skin and/or underlying tissue usually over a bony prominence, as a result of pressure, or pressure in combination with shear”.They are six classes of pressure ulcer, grades 1-4, unstageable and deep tissue injury.

- Research has shown that when nursing staff are educated and knowledgeable on pressure ulcer prevention, nursing practice can then change and improv. According to Land, pressure ulcer prevention is such a vital recurring aspect of nursing care that many staff fail to concede its importance and consequence in maintaining standards of care.

- The four main areas target are: improving staff education and knowledge of pressure ulcer prevention, correct and timely risk assessment of the patient, frequent patient offloading/relieving pressure, and moisture management.

- Risk assessment, it is policy in our hospital to carry out a risk and a skin assessment within six hours of admission to the hospital. Nursing staff were encouraged to risk assess patients within this timeframe and complete a skin assessment every time they repositioned the patient.

- The hospital uses a validated risk assessment scale called the Braden scale which was developed to identify patients at risk of developing pressure ulcers.The lower the score the higher the risk, and any patient with a score of 18 or below is deemed at risk.

- Get Seniors Moving.

- Change postion 2 nd hourly.

- Check the Skin for Signs of Developing

- Pressure Sores Often.

- Use Specialty Bedding or Materials to Reduce Pressure.

- Keep the Skin Dry and Clean.

- Encourage Seniors to Maintain a Healthy Diet.

- Manage Chronic Health Conditions Effectively.

- Create an Incentive-Based Program for Senior Caregivers