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CPD practice profile
Pressure ulcer prevention A CPD article helped to reinforce Amii Smith’s knowledge of the use of a pressure ulcer prevention model Pressure ulcers are largely preventable, and efforts should be made to reduce their incidence. As a nursing student, I have used the SSKIN (Surface, Skin inspection, Keep patients moving, Incontinence and moisture, and Nutrition and hydration) model for pressure ulcer prevention. The model has been introduced at my local trust with good effect, especially in community hospitals. I work mainly in a community hospital specialising in rehabilitation and care of older patients. The CPD article described the importance of the SSKIN model in reducing the incidence of preventable pressure ulcers. The model assists in identifying high-risk patients and ensuring that preventive action and timely management are implemented. This article informed readers of how the SSKIN model considers factors that the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) and Waterlow pressure ulcer risk assessment tool do not, and how all three can be used collaboratively.
NURSING STANDARD
The SSKIN model considers patient and carer education, and empowerment, and promotes change in the way patients are cared for and the use of appropriate preventive measures in pressure ulcer management. When used alongside the Waterlow and MUST tools, an assessment that identifies and prevents pressure ulcer development is assured.
Staff training
The use of pressure-relieving equipment and education for staff, patients and carers are essential to prevent and manage pressure ulcers. In my opinion, pressure
This practice profile is based on NS711 Jones D (2013) Pressure ulcer prevention in the community setting. Nursing Standard. 28, 3, 47-55.
ulcer education for staff should be mandatory. In addition, pressure ulcer training and clinical supervision can provide a foundation to ensure that staff are consistent when grading pressure ulcers. It is recommended that patients are repositioned every two to three hours to prevent the development of pressure ulcers. Before the use of the SSKIN model, healthcare professionals in my area were not prompted to ensure that patient repositioning time scales were in place. After reading the article, I aim to familiarise myself with the use of skin preparations designed to prevent skin maceration and moisture lesions, especially in patients who have continence issues or large skin folds where sweating can occur. I also intend to ensure that patients are empowered to check their own skin integrity and reposition themselves where able. I need to make it a priority to learn about grading pressure ulcers to ensure that any new skin areas of concern are highlighted and pressure ulcers prevented. The SSKIN model has been used successfully in my area and has prompted better assessment in the prevention of pressure ulcers. With correct education and guidance for patients and healthcare professionals, it is hoped that the incidence of pressure ulcers will be reduced NS Amii Smith is a nursing student at Loughborough Community Hospital, Leicestershire Partnership Trust
Write your own practice profile You can gain a certificate of learning by reading a Nursing Standard CPD article and writing a practice profile. Turn to page 53 for this week’s article and on page 62 you can find out how to present and submit your practice profile.
Visit the RCN Learning Zone The RCN Learning Zone is a FREE online service to help RCN members with their continuing professional development and professional portfolio management. The RCN Learning Zone can be found at www.rcn.org.uk/members/learningzone.php april 2 :: vol 28 no 31 :: 2014 61
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CPD practice profile
Pressure ulcer prevention A CPD article helped to reinforce Amii Smith’s knowledge of the use of a pressure ulcer prevention model Pressure ulcers are largely preventable, and efforts should be made to reduce their incidence. As a nursing student, I have used the SSKIN (Surface, Skin inspection, Keep patients moving, Incontinence and moisture, and Nutrition and hydration) model for pressure ulcer prevention. The model has been introduced at my local trust with good effect, especially in community hospitals. I work mainly in a community hospital specialising in rehabilitation and care of older patients. The CPD article described the importance of the SSKIN model in reducing the incidence of preventable pressure ulcers. The model assists in identifying high-risk patients and ensuring that preventive action and timely management are implemented. This article informed readers of how the SSKIN model considers factors that the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) and Waterlow pressure ulcer risk assessment tool do not, and how all three can be used collaboratively.
NURSING STANDARD
The SSKIN model considers patient and carer education, and empowerment, and promotes change in the way patients are cared for and the use of appropriate preventive measures in pressure ulcer management. When used alongside the Waterlow and MUST tools, an assessment that identifies and prevents pressure ulcer development is assured.
Staff training
The use of pressure-relieving equipment and education for staff, patients and carers are essential to prevent and manage pressure ulcers. In my opinion, pressure
This practice profile is based on NS711 Jones D (2013) Pressure ulcer prevention in the community setting. Nursing Standard. 28, 3, 47-55.
ulcer education for staff should be mandatory. In addition, pressure ulcer training and clinical supervision can provide a foundation to ensure that staff are consistent when grading pressure ulcers. It is recommended that patients are repositioned every two to three hours to prevent the development of pressure ulcers. Before the use of the SSKIN model, healthcare professionals in my area were not prompted to ensure that patient repositioning time scales were in place. After reading the article, I aim to familiarise myself with the use of skin preparations designed to prevent skin maceration and moisture lesions, especially in patients who have continence issues or large skin folds where sweating can occur. I also intend to ensure that patients are empowered to check their own skin integrity and reposition themselves where able. I need to make it a priority to learn about grading pressure ulcers to ensure that any new skin areas of concern are highlighted and pressure ulcers prevented. The SSKIN model has been used successfully in my area and has prompted better assessment in the prevention of pressure ulcers. With correct education and guidance for patients and healthcare professionals, it is hoped that the incidence of pressure ulcers will be reduced NS Amii Smith is a nursing student at Loughborough Community Hospital, Leicestershire Partnership Trust
Write your own practice profile You can gain a certificate of learning by reading a Nursing Standard CPD article and writing a practice profile. Turn to page 53 for this week’s article and on page 62 you can find out how to present and submit your practice profile.
Visit the RCN Learning Zone The RCN Learning Zone is a FREE online service to help RCN members with their continuing professional development and professional portfolio management. The RCN Learning Zone can be found at www.rcn.org.uk/members/learningzone.php april 2 :: vol 28 no 31 :: 2014 61
Downloaded from RCNi.com by ${individualUser.displayName} on Dec 08, 2015. For personal use only. No other uses without permission. Copyright © 2015 RCNi Ltd. All rights reserved.
