Tissue viability service play host to stop the pressure event

Our tissue viability team hosted a special event in the Sandwell Education Centre in December 2022 to help increase knowledge and understanding of pressure ulcer prevention.

The all-day event was aimed at all clinical colleagues, based both at the hospital and in the community.

“There were a variety of topics covered on the day including preventing harm from pressure ulcers, how to manage at risk moist skin, pressure mapping and product updates around continence, barrier skin protection, pressure relief equipment,” said Lesley McDonagh, Clinical Lead Nurse - Corporate Nursing.

“We also launched our new moisture associated skin damage pathway to give staff better and clear guidance on best practice when caring for the skin of our patients.”

The stop the pressure event supports the Trust’s strategy around fundamentals of care, a harm free care approach.

On the day, the tissue viability team and other key stakeholders - including orthotics, adult safeguarding and community practice educators - facilitated a mixture of workshops and training around pressure reliving equipment advice and procedures.

With over one hundred attendees on the day, Lesley believes the event was hugely beneficial for colleagues.

She said: “The stop the pressure event gave staff valuable resources and knowledge to take back to their wards and areas and educate their teams.

“The event also presented attendees with the most up to date and best practice for pressure ulcer prevention which is key in in preventing unnecessary harm to our patients as a pressure ulcer developing is detrimental to patient care.

“Pressure ulcers, also known to many as pressure sores or bedsores, are injuries to the skin and underlying tissue, primarily caused by prolonged pressure on the skin. They can happen to anyone at risk, with a period of reduced mobility. Unfortunately, many of our patients find themselves in this position which is why pressure ulcer prevention is so vital.”