Pressure Area Care
Duration: Half Day
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Enquire NowCourse Overview
Pressure ulcers (bedsores) are a significant risk for individuals with limited mobility, causing severe pain and potentially life-threatening complications. They are also largely preventable with excellent care. This course equips care staff with the skills to identify risk factors, assess skin integrity, and implement effective preventative measures.
Delegates will learn about the anatomy of the skin, how pressure damage occurs, and how to use risk assessment tools like the Waterlow score. We cover the crucial role of repositioning, nutrition, and pressure-relieving equipment in maintaining healthy tissue viability.
Course Aims
- Understand the anatomy of the skin and how pressure ulcers develop.
- Identify the key risk factors (intrinsic and extrinsic) for pressure damage.
- Learn how to use recognized risk assessment tools (e.g., Waterlow, Braden).
- Understand how to grade/categorize pressure ulcers.
- Learn effective preventative strategies, including repositioning and skin care.
- Understand the role of nutrition, hydration, and pressure-relieving equipment.
Course Content
- Anatomy and physiology of the skin.
- Pathophysiology of pressure ulcers (pressure, shear, friction).
- Identifying individuals at risk and utilizing risk assessment tools.
- The 4 categories/grades of pressure ulcers.
- Moisture lesions vs. pressure ulcers.
- Preventative strategies: SSKIN bundle (Surface, Skin inspection, Keep moving, Incontinence, Nutrition).
- Correct use of pressure-relieving equipment (cushions, mattresses).
- Repositioning techniques and frequency.
- Documentation, reporting, and when to escalate to tissue viability nurses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this course teach me how to dress a pressure ulcer?
No, this course focuses on prevention, risk assessment, and basic skin care. Wound management and dressing selection are covered in our separate Wound Care Management course.
Do we learn how to set up an air mattress?
We discuss the principles of alternating air mattresses and the importance of checking them, but specific setup varies by manufacturer and should be guided by your workplace equipment protocols.