Rethinking Pressure Injury Prevention
Pressure injuries remain a significant concern for Australians, affecting thousands each year. These injuries can lead to pain, disability, hospitalisation, and in severe cases, even death. Beyond the physical and emotional toll, pressure injuries impose a substantial financial burden on families and the healthcare system. Despite efforts to raise awareness and reduce their prevalence, pressure injuries continue to be a significant challenge for Australian healthcare providers.
How Can We Help Prevent Pressure Injuries?
Education plays a pivotal role in preventing pressure injuries. Providing clients, families, and caregivers with the knowledge they need to recognise risks and early signs is crucial. Empowered with this understanding, individuals are better equipped to take proactive steps to prevent pressure injuries.
Consistent and Structured Risk Assessments
One of the most effective strategies to reduce the risk of pressure injuries is conducting regular, standardised risk assessments. Assessing vulnerable skin areas helps identify risks early, allowing healthcare providers to take preventive action. The National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel recommends using a validated assessment tool in conjunction with clinical judgement. Ensuring all care providers are aligned on the same assessment framework, whether in a hospital, aged care facility, or home setting, supports continuity of care and reduces the likelihood of injuries developing.
The Waterlow Pressure Injury Prevention Score
Among various tools available, the Waterlow Score is one of the most widely used in Australia. This interdisciplinary assessment evaluates a range of factors, including mobility, continence, nutritional status, and specific risks, to determine an individual’s likelihood of developing pressure injuries.
The tool not only provides a risk score but also outlines strategies for nursing care, appropriate equipment selection, and wound management. Occupational therapists and other care providers often rely on the Waterlow Score to recommend suitable support surfaces, such as pressure-relieving mattresses or chairs, and to guide decisions about equipment that minimises the risk of shear and skin damage.
It’s essential to remember that the Waterlow Score is not a one-off measure. Regular reassessments, especially when there are changes in a client’s condition or environment, are vital for effective pressure injury prevention.
The Right Equipment at the Right Time
Access to the correct equipment when it is needed is another key factor in preventing pressure injuries. Delayed access to pressure-relieving surfaces or aids can worsen conditions, prolong recovery times, and even lead to hospitalisation if injuries progress to severe stages.
Specialist Advice for Complex Cases
Individuals with specific needs, such as those with spinal injuries, paediatric clients, or bariatric individuals, face additional risk factors. Seeking guidance from experts with experience in these areas can ensure the development of an appropriate management plan and the selection of suitable equipment.
Ongoing Care and Management
Once a risk assessment has been conducted, simple strategies like the SSKIN approach can support ongoing prevention and management:
• Surface: Use pressure-relieving surfaces.
• Skin Inspection: Regular checks for early signs of damage.
• Keep Moving: Encourage frequent position changes.
• Incontinence: Maintain clean, dry skin.
• Nutrition: Promote a healthy diet and hydration to nourish the skin.
Prevention Is Achievable
Pressure injuries are largely preventable. By implementing robust policies, action plans, regular staff training, and consistent auditing, we can significantly reduce their prevalence. Prevention is not only achievable but also essential to improving the quality of life for individuals at risk.
Sources:
• Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC)
• National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel (NPIAP)