Invacare is supporting global ‘Stop Pressure Ulcer Day’ on the 17th of November
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Invacare is supporting global ‘Stop Pressure Ulcer Day’ on the 17th of November
Stop Pressure Ulcer Day is an annual global event in which industry, healthcare professionals and the public come together to help raise awareness of pressure ulcers. Now in its 4th year, the aim of the event is to increase knowledge and raise awareness of the resources available to help prevent pressure ulcers.
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What is a pressure ulcer?
A pressure ulcer is an area of damage to the skin and the underlying tissue, usually over a bony area of the body. Pressure ulcers range in severity from skin discolouration to severe open wounds where the muscle and bone are visible.
Pressure ulcers are painful, costly and often preventable, yet EPUAP estimate that approximately 4 million people in Europe have developed pressure ulcers.
Who is at risk?
Anybody can develop a pressure ulcer, but those most at risk are:
People who have difficulty moving or repositioning themselves
Those who cannot feel pain over part or all of their body
Those who have limited bladder or bowel control
People who are seriously ill or have had surgery
Those with a poor diet and low fluid intake
People who smoke
Those with previous pressure ulcers/skin damage
People with poor circulation
Prevention
The cost of pressure ulcer prevention is far less than the cost of their treatment. A number of preventative measures can be put in place to help reduce the risk of developing a pressure ulcer, these include:
Checking the skin daily for signs of damage or discoloration
Movement: make sure a patient changes position regularly
Repositioning: the patient should be encouraged to reposition themselves regularly
Suitable support surfaces which include mattresses, heelcare and seating
Good nutrition
Protect the patients’ skin by keeping it clean and dry
To find out more about pressure ulcer prevention and treatment, download the NPUAP & EPUAP quick reference guide here or visit their website www.epuap.org
Invacare offers a wide range of support surfaces designed to help reduce the risk of developing pressure ulcers. For more information, visit the Pressure and Posture Care section on our website.
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