Workshop: Pressure Injury Prevention and Management #stopthepressure
– There’s NO time for nonsense!
Technology Park Function Centre, Bentley
Thursday, 18 November 2021
#stopthepressure is an initiative driven by Unicare Health to stop pressure injuries from developing through the education of effective prevention & management techniques and intelligent use of pressure care devices.
Our #stopthepressure Seminar, held every year on Worldwide STOP Pressure Injury Day, attracted over 150 clinicians and pressure care leaders who joined us for a day of updated education, networking and experience sharing.
We are thrilled that our Pressure Injury Prevention and Management seminar has become a distinctive West Australian healthcare collaboration for all involved in pressure injury care, with attendance increasing year after year.
As the leading equipment provider to clinicians and pressure care leaders across the state, we are blessed to be in a position that allows us to encourage industry collaboration to improve patient care.
We are proud to be honouring the excellent work that our industry partners have undertaken with us to prevent and reduce the impact of pressure injuries in Western Australia.
This seminar was facilitated by our very own, Annette Terranova – Clinical educator and trainer for Unicare Health. Annette is a valued consultant by clinicians working in hospitals, aged care and disability for expert pressure care advice and equipment solutions.
Annette delivered the session following the latest Clinical Practice Guidelines developed by the National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel (NPIAP), European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (EPUAP) and Pan Pacific Pressure Injury Alliance (PPPIA). These international guidelines have been developed using a rigorous scientific methodology to appraise available research and make evidence-based recommendations reinforced worldwide.
Using these international guidelines as a framework, Annette began her session by debunking misconceptions regarding pressure injuries. Next, she redefined factors that influence an individual’s susceptibility to develop pressure injury risks in group homes, communities, and organisations.
“Factors such as consumer and financial costs as well as mental health are often overlooked as possible causes.”
Pressure Injury treatment and prevention is a 24-hour task, and it requires the individual and their family/friends/support network to make it work. As OTs and fellow allied health professionals, it is vital to have the foresight to identify pressure injury risks before it happens.
“Think about every time someone’s in contact with a device or any surface. Consider the cell deformation that is happening for the individual…”
“Pressure Injury and Management is a HOLISTIC approach. We need to do our due diligence to look at everything. Physical, emotional and nutritional as well as the mental health of the individual is vital.”
Annette emphasised the need to open our minds to other possibilities outside of the clinician’s regular treatment and management, rules, and regulations at work. Knowing how it happens and why it happens helps us to implement the appropriate treatments.
After morning tea, Annette took the opportunity to discuss and compare many types of traditional pressure care devices. Using Unicare Health’s range of pressure care products such as seat cushions, Care of Sweden’s mattresses, Regency chairs, Lifting Hoists and Standing Hoists, She demonstrated how the limitations of traditional pressure care devices have been overcome with new inventions and technologies.
Annette discussed clinical features of pressure care equipment in detail and explored their applicability for various situations and environments.
Going through each piece of equipment, Annette highlighted the importance of educating carers and other stakeholders involved in the process.
“For a start, ensure pressure care cushions are placed the right way up!”
Annette stressed that it is not just about using the best pressure care equipment but also how it is cared for and maintained in the long run to ensure the prevention and management of a pressure injury.
Annette invited OTs up on stage for a visual demonstration to further encourage a space of discussion and collaboration. Attendees enjoyed a highly engaging time having a go with the equipment to fully understand how to get the best results out of the equipment to reduce and manage pressure injury risks.
Attendees were also taught how manual handling plays a factor in pressure management. Using Unicare’s range of lighting hoists such as the Ansa Sonata and Alto, Annette explained that the more comfortable a client is, the less likely they would need repositioning through manual handling, thus reducing the risks of pressure injuries that arise through shear.
She urged everyone to be mindful of seating and positioning principles regarding transfers.
She demonstrated how this also applies to beds and mattresses using Care of Sweden’s range of pressure care mattresses. References to Pressure Care Mattresses by Care of Sweden discussed in this seminar can be found in this catalogue.
Annette also noted the importance of looking at the beds that are prescribed for individuals, as understanding how to use the functions of the bed intelligently can also reduce the incidences of pressure injuries.
She used the features of the Wissner-Bosserhoff Sentida 6 nursing bed to demonstrate how one should be using the knee break to prevent shearing down the bed and taught attendees how to use the functions of the bed to help with repositioning and reduce manual handling.
Clinicians enjoyed an insightful time at this highly anticipated seminar, sharing their experiences and raising questions to assist in their quest to prevent and manage pressure injuries in their workplace.
Thank you
To all the West Australian clinicians who attended our #stopthepressure seminar, thank you for spending Worldwide STOP Pressure Injury Day with us and your dedicated effort towards Pressure Injury Prevention and Management.
We are honoured to be your go-to resource and partner in our quest to #stopthepressure. We trust that the knowledge and skills we have shared will add significant value to the way you prevent and manage pressure injuries in your workplace.
You are most welcome to continue taking advantage of our pressure care knowledge and equipment solutions to achieve better patient outcomes.
❤ We love working with all of you. ❤
Let’s do it together.
There’s NO time for nonsense!
#stopthepressure
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Posted on 29 November 2021