Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust Stop The Pressure: Patient Safety and Tissue Viability Alison Cole Claire Brett Karen Oakley
Presentation Focus Etiology and cause of a pressure ulcer The impact of pressure ulcers Identifying who is at risk and risk assessment Braden Assessment Tool and SSKIN Bundle Skin Assessment Classification of pressure ulcers Differential Diagnosis Your role in pressure ulcer prevention
Introduction: What is a Pressure Ulcer? A pressure ulcer is a localised injury to the skin and/ or underlying tissue, usually over a bony prominence, resulting from sustained pressure (including pressure associated with shear).
Shear Shear stresses are thought to act alongside pressure to produce the damage and ischemia (death) of the skin and deeper tissues that results in pressure ulcers. Shear injury will not be seen at the skin level because it happens beneath the skin. Shear is a mechanical force for example: pulling the bones of the pelvis in one direction and the skin in the opposite direction.
Shear: Who is at Risk? Must have head of bed elevated Those that slip/slide from a position they have been placed in Those too weak to reposition independently without dragging themselves across surfaces Exposed to high pressure over a bony prominence Moist, wet or macerated skin
What causes a Pressure Ulcer? Pressure ulcers are caused when an area of skin and the tissues below are damaged as a result of being placed under pressure sufficient to impair its blood supply. PHT Patient consent given to use photographs
Why is it important? Impact on patient: pain, reduced quality of life, physical, psychological and social impact 186,617 patients develop a pressure ulcer in hospital each year Each pressure ulcer adds additional costs of care of over 4000 Research suggests that 80-95% are avoidable 700,000 people are affected by pressure ulcers each year Quality indicator of our care
Identifying individuals at risk Identifying individuals at risk of developing pressure ulcers Bariatric patients Critically ill patients Weight loss Malnutrition Diabetes Trauma Palliative care patients Critical care Spinal cord injury Sensory Loss Vascular Disease Fractured hip Incontinent Acute/Chronic Illness Older adults Immobility
Risk assessment Risk assessment is an essential component of clinical practice that aims to identify individuals who are susceptible in order that appropriate interventions to prevent pressure ulcer occurrence can be planned and implemented Implement and complete a risk assessment tool Undertake a comprehensive skin assessment (complete red alert sticker) Consider additional risk factors Use your clinical judgement Repeat risk assessment as often as required by the patients condition or if there is any significant change
Risk assessment Tool: Braden Score 15-18: At Risk 13-14: Moderate Risk 10-12: High Risk 9 or Below: Very high risk
Risk assessment Tool: Braden Score Scenario Example 1 Mrs Smith is 80 years old and has been admitted to hospital due to Shortness of Breath. All pressure areas were checked on admission and are all intact. Mrs Smith lives alone with a three times a day package of care. Mrs Smith has an Abbreviated Mental Test Score (AMTS) of 10/10, is urinary and faecally incontinent and is able to mobilize with her Zimmer frame with assistance of one. Mrs Smith tells us that she is able to reposition herself, however sometimes finds herself sliding in her chair. Mrs Smith has a good appetite and feeds herself independently, her BMI is 19.
Risk assessment Tool: Braden Score Scenario Example 2 Mr Brown has been admitted to hospital following an episode of chest pain. All pressure areas checked on admission and Mr Brown has a grade 3 pressure ulcer to his sacrum. Mr Brown has an AMTS of 7/10. Mr Brown lives in a Residential home and is continent of urine and faeces. Mr Brown is pivot transferred from bed to chair with the assistance of two carers and is unable to mobilise. Mr Brown has lost two stone in weight in the 3 months and requires to be fed. Mr Brown s BMI is 20.
Risk assessment Tool: Braden Score Do not rely on the total score as a basis when assessing your patients risk. Risk assessment tool sub-scale scores and other risk factors should also be examined to provide risk based planning Mrs Smith: Sensory Perception: 3 Moisture: 1 Activity: 3 Mobility: 3 Nutrition: 3 Friction and Shear: 2 = 15 (At Risk) Mr Brown: Sensory Perception: 4 Moisture: 4 Activity: 2 Mobility: 2 Nutrition: 2 Friction and Shear: 1 = 15 (At Risk) Use your clinical Judgement
Documentation of risk assessment and a preventative care plan
Documentation of risk assessment and a preventative care plan
Skin Inspection/assessment Skin assessment is crucial in pressure ulcer prevention because it can serve as an indicator of early signs of pressure damage. Skin and tissue assessment underpins the selection and evaluation of appropriate preventative interventions. Early inspection means early detection
Skin Inspection/assessment Check all pressure areas (or areas subjected to pressure) Undertake skin inspection prior to discharge Increase frequency of skin inspection in response to any deterioration in overall condition Inspect skin for erythema (redness) in individuals identified as being at risk and assess if blanching or nonblanching Show patients and carers what to look for Inspect skin under and around medical devices at least twice daily for signs of pressure related injury Remove compression bandaging on admission to allow for a thorough heel inspection and redress with conventional dressings Remove Anti-Embolytic stockings to inspect heels/ ensure correct fit (be vigilant around elasticated edges) Photos from Wounds UK: Device related Pressure Ulcers
Blanchable Erythema Erythema= redness Visible skin redness that becomes white when pressure is applied and reddens when pressure is relieved Photos: PUCLAS
Non-blanchable Erythema Visible skin redness that persists with the application of pressure. It indicates structural damage to the capillary bed. Photos PUCLAS
Classification of Pressure Ulcers Category/Stage I: Non-blanchable erythema Intact skin with non-blanchable redness of a localized area usually over a bony prominence. Darkly pigmented skin may not have visible blanching; its colour may differ from the surrounding area. The area may be painful, firm, soft, warmer or cooler as compared to adjacent tissue.
Classification of Pressure Ulcers Category/Stage II: Partial thickness Partial thickness loss of dermis presenting as a shallow open ulcer with a red pink wound bed May present as an intact or open/ruptured serum-filled or sero-sanginous filled blister. Presents as a shiny or dry shallow ulcer without slough or bruising*. *Bruising indicates deep tissue injury.
Classification of Pressure Ulcers Category/Stage III: Full thickness skin loss Full thickness tissue loss. Subcutaneous fat may be visible but bone, tendon or muscle are not exposed. Slough may be present but does not obscure the depth of tissue loss. May include undermining and tunneling. The depth of a Category/Stage III pressure ulcer varies by anatomical location.
Classification of Pressure Ulcers Category/Stage IV: Full thickness tissue loss Full thickness tissue loss with exposed bone, tendon or muscle. (or directly palpable) Slough or eschar may be present. Often includes undermining and tunneling. The depth varies by anatomical location. Can extend into muscle and/or supporting structures (e.g., fascia, tendon or joint capsule) making osteomyelitis likely to occur.
Classification of Pressure Ulcers Unstageable/Unclassified: Full thickness skin or tissue loss depth unknown Full thickness tissue loss in which actual depth of the ulcer is completely obscured by slough (yellow, tan, grey, green or brown) and/or eschar (tan, brown or black) in the wound bed. Until enough slough and/or eschar are removed to expose the base of the wound, the true depth cannot be determined; but it will be either a Category/Stage III or IV. Stable (dry, adherent, intact without erythema) eschar on the heels serves as the body s natural (biological) cover and should not be removed.
Classification of Pressure Ulcers Suspected Deep Tissue Injury depth unknown Purple or maroon localized area of discoloured intact skin or blood-filled blister due to damage of underlying soft tissue The area may be preceded by tissue that is painful, firm, mushy, boggy, warmer or cooler as compared to adjacent tissue. Deep tissue injury may be difficult to detect in individuals with dark skin tones. Evolution may include a thin blister over a dark wound bed or may further evolve and become covered by thin eschar. Evolution may be rapid exposing additional layers of tissue even with optimal treatment.
Differential Diagnosis Allergic reaction Physical/Chemical Irritation Trauma Shingles Indentation/dimple Abscess Excoriation Other wound causes Surgical wound Healed/scarred wound/pressure ulcer Moisture lesion Leg ulcer Diabetic foot ulcer Burn Friction
Differential diagnosis: Moisture Lesions Photos: Welsh Wound Network, PUCLAS
How to prevent Moisture Lesions Keep the skin clean and dry Use a ph balanced skin cleanser Do not massage or vigorously rub skin that is at risk of pressure damage (shear) Implement an individualised continence management plan Cleanse the skin promptly following episodes of incontinence Protect skin with a barrier product in order to reduce the risk of pressure damage Welsh wound network NHS Midlands and East STP
Surface Support surfaces alone neither prevent nor heal pressure ulcers. They are used along side a management plan for pressure ulcer prevention and treatment. The following points should be considered: Examine the appropriateness and functionality of the support surface on every encounter Continue to reposition patients placed on a pressure redistribution support surface Apply repose boots where necessary as this reduces the risk of pressure damage to the heels. Repose boots are designed for use in bed or with the feet elevated Place legs on a pillow to float heels off the bed Use an active support surface (overlay or pressure redistribution surface) for individuals at higher risk when frequent manual repositioning is not possible
Keep Moving Pressure ulcers cannot form without pressure on the skin and underlying tissues. Reposition all patients who are at risk of or have existing pressure ulcers (unless contraindicated) When considering the frequency of repositioning your patient considerations should be given to: -Level of activity and mobility -General medical condition -Overall treatment objectives -Skin condition -Comfort Encourage and educate patients and family/carers/friends of the importance of repositioning Encourage independent repositioning if able
Keep Moving: Repositioning Avoid repositioning patient on bony prominences with existing pressure damage Avoid subjecting the skin to pressure and shear forces Avoid positioning the patient directly onto medical devices such as tubes, drainage systems or other foreign objects Do not leave an individual on a bed pan longer than necessary Use 30 degree tilted side-lying Limit head-of-bed elevation to 30 degrees for patients on bed rest (unless contraindicated) Continue to reposition the individual regardless of the support surface (as a minimum of 2-4 hours) If seating is necessary for patients with pressure ulcers on the sacrum/coccyx or ischia, limit seating to 3 times a day in periods of 60 minutes or less with a pressure relieving cushion in place.
Best practice management of Incontinence and Moisture Moisture from urine, faeces, perspiration or wound exudate can weaken skin and make it more vulnerable Keep the skin clean and dry Avoid using soap and water- skin cleanser Barrier films or creams may provide protection Use appropriate continence aids Cause of incontinence should be addressed and lessened
Nutrition Undertake a nutritional assessment as per hospital policy (5 days using MUST Tool) Consider referring patients screened to be at risk of malnutrition and patients with existing pressure ulcer to a dietician Assess the patients ability to eat independently Use red trays where necessary Ensure meals are in reach for patients who can feed themselves Provide enhanced foods and/or oral supplements between meals if required (Discuss with medical team)
Process of Reporting
Have You Your Role in Pressure Ulcer Prevention
References Page 3- National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel, European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel and Pan Pacific Pressure Injury Alliance (2014) Prevention and Treatment of Pressure Ulcers: Clinical Practice Guideline. Cambridge Media: Perth, Australia Page 4- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2014) Pressure ulcers: prevention and management of pressure ulcers. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg179 Page 5- Stop the Pressure (2013) Stop the Pressure: Helping to prevent pressure ulcers. Available at: http://nhs.stopthepressure.co.uk/ Page 6, 7, - National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel, European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel and Pan Pacific Pressure Injury Alliance (2014) Prevention and Treatment of Pressure Ulcers: Clinical Practice Guideline. Cambridge Media: Perth, Australia Page 8- BJ,. and Bergstron (1988) Braden Scale for predicting pressure sore risk. Available at: www.bradenscale.com Page 12- NHS Midlands and East (2012) Guidelines to support Pressure ulcer Bundle. Available at: http://www.google.co.uk/url?url=http://nhs.stopthepressure.co.uk/path/docs/bundles%2520guidelines%2520final%2520v2.pdf&rct =j&frm=1&q=&esrc=s&sa=u&ei=jwg-vekko5g0aephgdgg&ved=0ccsqfjad&usg=afqjcnfag2n4pipabev-ix5clckab45icg Page 13- C Brett (Revised 2015) Intentional Rounding/SSKIN Bundle Form. Ref 13/4749 from Medical Illustrations Page 14- NHS Midlands and East (2012) Guidelines to support Pressure ulcer Bundle. Available at: http://www.google.co.uk/url?url=http://nhs.stopthepressure.co.uk/path/docs/bundles%2520guidelines%2520final%2520v2.pdf&rct =j&frm=1&q=&esrc=s&sa=u&ei=jwg-vekko5g0aephgdgg&ved=0ccsqfjad&usg=afqjcnfag2n4pipabev-ix5clckab45icg National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel, European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel and Pan Pacific Pressure Injury Alliance (2014) Prevention and Treatment of Pressure Ulcers: Clinical Practice Guideline. Cambridge Media: Perth, Australia Page 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, - National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel, European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel and Pan Pacific Pressure Injury Alliance (2014) Prevention and Treatment of Pressure Ulcers: Clinical Practice Guideline. Cambridge Media: Perth, Australia Page 24, 25- International review. Pressure ulcer prevention: pressure, shear, friction and microclimate in context. A consensus document. London: Wounds International, 2010 Page 27- Yates, S. (2012) Differentiating between pressure ulcers and moisture lesions. Wounds Essentials Vol 2. Page 28, 30, 31, 32, 33- National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel, European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel and Pan Pacific Pressure Injury Alliance (2014) Prevention and Treatment of Pressure Ulcers: Clinical Practice Guideline. Cambridge Media: Perth, Australia page 30- (NRS-UK, 2014)
References Photos: Page 3: Page 3- http://www.google.co.uk/url?url=http://www.woundsinternational.com/media/issues/673/files/content_10803.pdf&rct=j&frm=1&q=&e src=s&sa=u&ei=ij5dvzcyboet7abaj4laag&ved=0ce0qfjah&usg=afqjcnfbnr80ishyr_crv_3p9feiwbnaqa Page 29: http://www.woundsinternational.com/clinical-guidelines/international-review-pressure-ulcer-prevention-pressure-shearfriction-and-microclimate-in-context