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Safety Collaborative reduces the pressure
A Hospital Trust is working with care homes
across the community to tackle the problem of pressure ulcers. Anyone who sits
or lies down for prolonged periods of time, such as those confined to bed, risk
developing a pressure ulcer. Ulcers can be painful and lead to serious
infection. 1 in 5 patients in UK Hospitals suffers from a pressure ulcer;
commonly known as bed sores. People aged 70+ are particularly vulnerable,
as they are more likely to have mobility problems and ageing skin. Southport and
Ormskirk NHS Hospital Trust launched a Patient Safety Collaborative in June 2015
to tackle the problem. The initiative sees the Trust working with partners to
prevent pressure ulcers in care homes and also within the Hospital. The
collaborative brings together private care homes and clinicians from across the
Trust. Dominic Williams, tissue viability nurse specialist, said:- "The
common goal is to share best practice and also develop new ways to tackle
pressure ulcers. It's about better awareness of those patients most at risk and
taking steps to prevent them developing ulcers in the 1st place. We are training
our staff and developing better systems to keep pressure ulcers away. It's been
especially rewarding to be talking to care homes as we can all share ideas on
best ways to tackle the problem." Park Grove Care Home in
Burscough is an active member of the Patient Safety Collaborative. It has
recently been commended by the Care Quality Commission for its work to reduce
pressure ulcers. Park Grove's registered manager, Angie Finnigan said:-
"We've gained such a lot from joint working with the Trust to reduce pressure
ulcers. We meet regularly and the group is a really great forum for agencies to
meet, learn and improve." On 12 October 2016, a Patient Safety
Collaborative summit takes place at Southport Hospital, within the Clinical
Education building. The event will run from 1pm to 4.30pm and will be an
opportunity to showcase all the areas from the Trust and care home partners who
have been working to reduce pressure ulcers. Care home managers are welcome to
attend should send an
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