Reducing hospital-acquired pressure damage: an NHS acute trust initiative.
During 2009, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust reviewed its pressure ulcer prevention strategy; this included patient interventions and equipment provision. Standard hospital mattresses were requiring replacement and dynamics were used frequently, while the overall prevalence of pressure damage remained high. Replacing the standard foam mattress with a non-powered pressure-redistributing system (AtmosAir) was proposed. The rationale for this was that by renewing all standard foam mattresses with the AtmosAir 4000, all patients would have immediate access to a pressure redistributing mattress. Training and education of staff was increased and the Trust redesigned documentation. The outcome of this approach was a significant reduction in hospital-acquired pressure damage.
Tissue Viability Clinical Nurse Specialist, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust.
Joan
J
Bedo
D001513:Beds; D006801:Humans; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015995:Prevalence; D013222:State Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology