This article looks at some case reports undertaken during a community initiative, which explored the importance of regularly
reassessing patients’ support surface needs in relation to their general wellbeing, comfort and personal relationships on a long-term basis. The comfort and dignity of patients who are prescribed longterm specialist dynamic mattresses is discussed through real patient stories. The importance of both involving and educating patients and their carers on pressure ulcer identification and preventation is also shown through this community initiative.
Pressure ulcers result in pain and poor quality of life for patients as well as being regarded as an indicator of poor practice for nurses and healthcare organisations. Similarly, prevention of pressure ulcers is preferable to treatment, which can be expensive. This article considers the latest guidance on the prevention of pressure ulcers and looks at some of the innovations such as pressure relieving devices and the use of dressing products, which nurses can use to provide holistic care. Finally, the author reiterates that despite the use of guidelines and innovative products, the nurse must also rely on their clinical judgement.
