ATurning Point

In a care home environment the client as much as a patient in an acute environment benefits from regular turning Supported by the NICE guidelines it has been proven that regular turning regimes can prevent and in some cases can significantly contribute to the healing process of existing pressure injuries whether presented upon arrival or even acquired at the care home WHO IS MOST LIKELY TO GET A PRESSURE ULCER?

Anyone living in a care home can develop a pressure ulcer but some factors make it more likely: Limited mobility/unable to change position without help

• A loss of feeling in part of the body

History of pressure ulcers or having one now

Not having eaten or hydrated well for a sustained period

Thin dry or weak skin

A significant cognitive impairment

HOW DOES A PRESSURE ULCER OCCUR?

John grew to love the sport back at school and later joined St Helens Rowden Croquet Club in Cheshire where he was a member for about 15 years before moving to Sussex and has now been playing at West Chiltington Croquet Club since 2018 Canon Peter Cole who also attended the lesson of croquet and his wife, Marian, was gifted a croquet set when they moved from Folkestone Church Parishioners to a new parish They moved to a village in West Sussex called Fittleworth but there wasn’t a croquet club there so Peter put something in the local magazine and the local community were interested which is when everyone began playing at the old Rectory Garden in Fittleworth When that expanded, the Rother Valley Croquet Club was formed in Duncton and it went on to thrive with a current membership of over one hundred members

Pauline Dando Activities Assistant at Sussexdown commented: After a long cold and wet winter residents were longing to get out and enjoy the lovely gardens With a newly purchased croquet set I suggested that we get a specialist to come and show residents how to play and have a friendly introductory game Everyone loved getting involved and learning from John who did a wonderful job teaching the basics to residents in our care As mole heaps and long grass do not make for an easy game, Gary the gardener here did a great job preparing the lawn ready for the activity to take place implemented in conjunction with an accurate risk assessment of the clients needs

All organisations recognise the need for regular turning but the pressures they face from reduced staffing levels, in a reducing labour pool, means that the demands on reduced staffing levels can sometimes mean that the ideological turning regimes are not always met, leading to the risk of acquired pressure injuries

Pressure ulcers occur when an area of skin and the t ssues underneath it are damaged by being under such pressure that the blood supply is reduced; typically when people spend long periods in a bed or chair

BARRIERS TO EFFECTIVE TURNING & HOW CAN EQUIPMENT HELP WITH PREVENTION AND THERAPY?

Equipment that offers suitable pressure relieving or pressure redistribution qualities subject to the risk factors can reduce or even remove the prevalence of PI’s provided a suitable Care Plan is written and

The answer appears simple invest in highly motivated capable staff manage the client diligently and offer assistance in maintaining independent mobility But of course that s not sometimes possible staff may be slightly less motivated due to external factors and independent patient mobility is not always the case

Equipment however can assist with that issue especially when a high dependence for repositioning is required The Optima Turn Mattress System by Wellell has been designed to reduce the burden on caregivers aiding repositioning without having to necessarily touch the patient benefitting all parties the patient their family the carer and the care home

If you are facing these issues and need help? Contact: sales uk@wellell com