tool to improve pressure ulcer care

A new, mandatory skin assessment training programme developed by Critical Care Nurse Kamali Smith and the LUHFT Tissue Viability Team will teach caregivers to take skin tone into consideration when treating pressure ulcers.

Research has shown that people with darker skin tone are more likely to be diagnosed with a higher category pressure ulcer than people with a white skin tone, due to delayed or inaccurate identification of pressure ulcer risk. This is because a grade one pressure ulcer is defined as red and non-blanching on a patient with a white skin tone but may appear as discolouration on a darker skin tone, when compared with the surrounding area.

LUHFT are the first Trust in the North West to be collecting skin tone and pressure ulcer data and this innovative advancement in care will allow for improved treatment, better knowledge for our care providers and a more equitable service for our patients.

The ‘skin tone tool’ will be available in both wipeable and single use versions and skin assessment documents will be provided within end of bed charts to remind colleagues to note skin tone before issuing an appropriate treatment plan, allowing for a more tailored, individualised management of care.