Helping to prevent pressure ulcers

A risk assessment called a ‘Purpose T’ will be completed by your healthcare professional.

• Skin Inspection – Check your child’s skin often. Tell someone if it becomes sore or uncomfortable, particularly if this is on their heels or bottom. Do not rub skin as this can remove the top layer causing damage.
• Surface – If your child is assessed as being at risk of developing pressure ulcers you may be offered special equipment to prevent a pressure ulcer occurring. It is also very important that their chair is the right height and width, to prevent them sliding.
• Keep moving – This is very important, change position as much as possible. For example, if in bed try to roll onto alternate sides regularly. If they can walk around please ensure that footwear fits correctly to prevent skin damage.
• Incontinence – it is important to deal with any continence concerns as these can damage your child’s skin and make them more at risk of pressure ulcers. Use a barrier cream to protect skin and wash with a mild non-perfumed cleanser.
• Nutrition –plays a very important role in preventing pressure ulcers. Nutritional needs will be discussed with you and a plan made to ensure that your child is eating and drinking what they should.

It is important that you understand the information given to you, if you are unclear please speak to your health care professional or carer.

Advice or a written care plan from your healthcare professional might include:

• How to adjust your child’s sitting and lying position
• How often they need to move or be moved
• How to support their feet and elevate their heels
• Which equipment you should use and how to use it

This will be discussed at each review.

If you only have a one off visit you will be provided with the information you need, in the form of this leaflet and a discussion about how you can help your child to prevent pressure ulcers. It would be beneficial to share this leaflet with your family members or any care givers to raise awareness of how to prevent pressure ulcers occurring.

Your plan of care may include specialist equipment such as;

• Special bed and mattress – this would be filled with air or made of a special foam.
• Cushions – these would redistribute pressure while your child is sitting in a chair.
• Slide sheets – these will be used to help change your child’s position.

Your healthcare professional /carer may also use things to keep the pressure off your child’s heels to stop them from getting sore. This is referred to as offloading. It can be done with equipment such as specially designed boots or with pillows. These will be discussed with you and your child and you will be shown what to do with them.