From Pressure to Prevention: Rethinking Ulcer Care in Emergency Settings
Summary: This webinar, hosted during #STOPTHEPRESSURE week, examines pressure ulcer prevention in emergency settings, focusing on challenges in Emergency Departments (ED) and pre-hospital care. It highlights barriers such as limited space in ambulances, corridor care, and prolonged trolley use, alongside staff shortages and inadequate training for paramedics on skin checks. Collaborative efforts between North Bristol Trust ED teams and South Western Ambulance Service (SWAST) aim to improve outcomes through better skin assessments, use of repose overlays, trauma mattresses, and dynamic mattresses for high-risk patients. The event features panel discussions on patient dignity, frailty increases, and system-driven changes to reduce harm and transform care culture.
Key Highlights:
- Challenges in ED and ambulance settings include limited repositioning space, patients on chairs or trolleys for extended periods, and dignity issues during skin checks.
- Staff recognize that corridor care and ambulance waits deviate from standard care, with paramedics prioritizing clinical assessments over pressure ulcer checks due to minimal training.
- Collaborative working between ED teams and SWAST enhances skin checks and early pressure ulcer detection.
- Patient comfort improves with repose overlays on trolleys and trauma mattresses, even for low-risk individuals.
- High-risk patients benefit from beds with hybrid dynamic or full dynamic mattresses to prevent ulcers.
Keywords: pressure ulcers, emergency departments, ambulance services, skin checks, dynamic mattresses