Sleep deprivation resulting from repositioning and waking without consent is unacceptable, is a form of abuse, and may contribute to a cognitive decline in the elderly. If patients are allowed to sleep and only repositioned when awake, staff workload is reduced, manual handling injuries are minimized and consequently the risk of skin tears, an added problem in the elderly who have tissue-paper like skin, is decreased.

The Pressure Ulcer Prevention Guidelines are lengthy and complex for care staff to read, are not evidence-based and will, more likely than not, fail to prevent pressure ulcers in residential aged care facilities.

LINKS

Nodec A mattress

Sharp, C. A., & Campbell, J (2022). Preventing pressure ulcers in aged care by auditing, and changing, work practices. Asian Journal of Medical Sciences, 13(4), 191-195. DOI:10.3126/ajms.v13i4.41855

Sharp, C. A. (2022). Do clinical practice guidelines for the prevention of pressure ulcers really prevent pressure ulcers? An analysis of the guidelines. Asian Journal of Medical Sciences, 13(6). doi: https://doi.org/10.3126/ajms.v13i6.43030