Education
At the end of life, education of patients, relatives and healthcare professionals is of the upmost importance (DH, 2008). Education helps people to understand that the patients’skin may be compromised and will have little tolerance to minimal pressure (Sibbald et al, 2009). Education also helps to ensure that assessment and management
of the skin in end of life patients is sensitively dealt with, thus reducing complaints and litigation (Guy, 2012).
Appropriate equipment, repositioning, skin care and nutrition should be provided, but it must be recognised that due to comorbidities and organ failure, end of life patients may still develop pressure damage. Some nurses see the development of pressure damage as a failure and fear litigation or complaints. However, communication and education
of patients, relatives and other