Pressure injuries and the effects that they have on people’s lives should not be underestimated. Pressure ulcers are injury to the skin and underlying tissue. They occur primarily due to the blood supply being interrupted (by pressure) to an area of skin.
Assessments can be used to determine if the patient is ‘at risk’ of developing an ulcer. However, it should be remembered that undertaking a risk assessment is merely that – it helps determine who is at risk, nothing more. Once a patient is deemed at risk then prevention injury strategies, such as special equipment or a care plan, are usually required to mitigate that risk.
People often think that pressure ulcers are small sores that quickly heal. This is not always the case, they can be extremely painful and if they have progressed to being of significant size and depth they can take a significant time to heal.
Pressure ulcers usually occur in patients whose movement is restricted e.g. someone who is bed or chair bound. There are lots of high risk factors that have to be taken into account when undertaking a risk assessment and professional care and nursing staff can advise regarding this. Pressure ulcers commonly develop in areas of the skin covering bony areas.
The prevention of pressure sores is a key nursing and professional care skill. Nurses and professional carers should be adequately competent and proficient in determining patients ‘at risk’ and in implementing strategies which mitigate the risk.
Our nursing experts
Apex Health Associates has a team of nursing experts (tissue viability nurses and general nurses) that are able to provide an opinion regarding the risk assessment, prevention, formation and treatment of pressure ulcers.
Our niche team of nursing experts provide independent opinions to a range of people including:
• Legal professionals (bringing or defending claims)
• Litigants in person (Claimants bringing a claim who are not represented by a lawyer)
• Regulators
• Employers (dealing with complaints by providing an independent report)
• HM Coroners
• NHS Trusts
• Private care and nursing homes
• Insurers
Scott Harding-Lister
General Nurse Expert
"Apex Health Associates has a team of nursing experts (tissue viability nurses and general nurses) that are able to provide an opinion regarding the risk assessment, prevention, formation and treatment of pressure ulcers."
APEX HEALTH ASSOCIATES
Apex Health Associates are a leading specialist nurse expert witness practice. Owned and managed by nurses, our dedicated staff can provide the following services.
• Liability reports (for both Claimant and Defendants)
• Condition and Prognosis reports
• Niche advice and reports specific to tissue viability issues
• Care (quantum) reports and advice
• Education and training on pressure ulcer prevention training