The benefits of using a first generation SEM scanner versus an equipment selection pathway in preventing HAPUs

At the start of the PU improvement work in 2012–2013 there was a rise in reporting of all PU in acute sites, as was expected. Once improvement work started to identify effective strategies, a...

The aetiology of medical device-related pressure ulcers and how to prevent them

The aetiology of MDRPUs is exemplified here through two common clinical scenarios—of a CPAP mask that is being used extensively in the current COVID-19 pandemic (Figure 2), and of a doughnut-shaped...

The influence of anaemia on pressure ulcer healing in elderly patients

Anaemia is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO)(2011) as a blood disorder in which haemoglobin levels are below 120 g/litre in females and 130 g/litre in males. This is a condition...

Preventing medical adhesive-related skin injury (MARSI)

The skin is the largest organ of the body and performs many critical functions. It is a physical barrier to microorganisms and irritants. The pH of the skin has an antimicrobial function, so assists...

Enabling patients with learning disabilities to self-manage lower limb lymphoedema

Regular reviews of the caseload were undertaken as the service developed over the pilot period, and it became apparent that 25–30% of patients being referred had either a diagnosed learning disability...

Self-harm wounds: assessment and management

The skin is the largest organ in the body and there are two main divisions; the outer epidermis and deeper dermis. The epidermis is made up of five layers of cells. The dermis is divided into two main...

The Red Legs RATED tool to improve diagnosis of lower limb cellulitis in the emergency department

The first author is employed as a Registered Advanced Nurse Practitioner (RANP) in tissue viability and dermatology in an acute hospital setting in Ireland. This article describes a recent RANP-led...

A nurse-led tissue viability service in Malta

In 1994-1995 during my follow-on degree course, I worked for a few months as a community nurse in our capital city of Valletta. It was like a baptism of fire. I think 50% of my time was dealing with...

Developing multidisciplinary education programmes in Uganda

When I learnt that my grandmother was weak and was bedbound, I thought I ought to utilize my 18 years of knowledge and skills in pressure area care obtained from my studies here in the UK..

Developing online training in wound care

The leg ulcer training plan was also priority, with plans to develop and implement this from September 2020, because leg ulcers are a Commissioning for Quality and Innovation (CQUIN) target for the...

The importance of language