Staff from Ward 4C in the Ulster Hospital have been presented with a ‘Pressure Ulcer Prevention Award’ for achieving an outstanding 573 days without any pressure ulcers on the ward.
The Tissue Viability Team alongside colleagues in Safe and Effective Care, recognised this outstanding achievement and introduced the Pressure Ulcer Prevention Award. This award will be presented to each area who achieve over 500 days with no pressure ulcers. The Tissue Viability Team regularly highlight the importance of risk assessment in the fight to prevent pressure damage.
Assistant Director of Nursing, Safe and Effective Care, Lisa Dullaghan commented on the team’s achievement and said, “‘I would like to congratulate Sister Andrea Cook and all the Ward 4C Team who have reached 573 days pressure ulcer free,this is testament to the high quality of patient centred care provided and a fantastic achievement by the 4C Team.’
Pressure ulcers (also known as pressure sores or bedsores) are injuries to the skin and underlying tissue, primarily caused by prolonged pressure on the skin. Pressure ulcers can happen to anyone, but they usually affect those who are confined to bed or who sit in a chair or wheelchair for long periods of time. It can be difficult to completely prevent pressure ulcers, however there are a number of ways to help prevent these by:
- Moving and regularly changing position;
- Using a specially designed static foam mattress, cushion, dynamic mattress or cushions that have a pump to provide a constant flow of air;
- Having a healthy and balanced diet that contains protein and a good variety of vitamins and minerals;
- Stopping smoking – smoking makes you more likely to get pressure ulcers because of the damage caused to blood circulation.