A tool developed by Hounslow and Richmond Community Healthcare NHS Trust to prevent pressure ulcers from forming has won an award from the European Pressure Ulcers Advisory Panel (EPUAP).
The pressure ulcer prevention project team from the community trust was recognised with an award for the best ‘quality improvement project on the prevention of skin breakdown’ at the EPUAP’s annual award ceremony in Belgium. The team won the award for their work adapting a hospital-based pressure ulcer prevention method to be suitable for community settings, known as the SSKIN bundle.
Siobhan McCoulough, pressure ulcer prevention project lead at Hounslow and Richmond Community Healthcare NHS Trust, said: ‘I am delighted that we’re getting so much support and recognition for all the hard work that we’ve done to make sure that carers are central in identifying early stage pressure ulcers and preventing deterioration. Using a multi-disciplinary approach to prevention ensures that patients are getting best quality care that we can possibly provide them with.’
The SSKIN bundle, launched in April, is designed to support carers in preventing pressure ulcers. It contains information on risk assessment and early identification of pressure ulcers. The pressure ulcer team said that the tool was developed due to the increase of long-term conditions and the number of carers.
Ms McCoulough added: ‘I was thrilled this work was recognised and I was asked to speak at the EPUAP. It shows that our work has been recognised on an international level and I hope this inspires other community healthcare providers. By using this model, we can make a difference not just nationally but also globally.’