What does the patient’s family/carers
understand about pressure ulcers?
As with patients, if families and carers do not understand
the problem, they may not fully engage with any strategies
(Coleman et al, 2015). Ensure that they understand what
pressure ulcers are (NICE, 2104), what causes them and
how that patient is at risk. If a patient has paid carers
(provided by social services or privately), do not assume they
have had training on pressure ulcer prevention.
It may be necessary to contact the care agency directly
and have pressure-relieving strategies included in the
care plan.
Good relationships with relatives and carers are essential
for preventing pressure ulcers (Coleman, 2015). They can be
the nurse’s eyes between visits; otherwise, problems may not
be identified early enough. Good relationships can enable
early action to be taken if problems happen.
Pressure ulcer prevention should be a multidisciplinary
approach, not just the role of nurses. When an ‘at risk’ patient is
identified, other healthcare professionals should be involved as
needed, such as:
■■ Dieticians
■■ Physiotherapists
■■ Occupational therapists
■■ Social workers
■■ GPs.
It may be necessary to call a multidisciplinary team (MDT)
meeting to discuss a strategy for the identified patient. All the
issues can be discussed and a coherent strategy agreed. Do not
forget to involve the patient, their relatives and/or their carers
in this meeting. It can also be a chance to reinforce the risks
the patient is under to them.