1. Mike Ellis Tissue Viability Clinical Nurse Specialist
Pressure Ulcer Reduction: The Role of Unregistered Healthcare Support Workers in Validation and Prevention
Mike Ellis
Tissue Viability Clinical Nurse Specialist

2. The mission To reduce pressure ulcer incidence: We lacked:
Eliminate avoidable category 4 pressure ulcers
Reduce category 2 and 3 pressure ulcers by 50%
We lacked:
Accurate incidence data on which to monitor improvement
A clear process by which validation of pressure damage took place
A clear process for the delivery and reiteration of pressure ulcer prevention advice to support front line nurses

3. The plan 3 year service evaluation
All recorded pressure damage validated initially by specialist HCA
Delivery of protocol based advice and guidance for prevention and management
Referral for formal investigation and wound management advice to Clinical Nurse Specialist

4. The person Unregistered nurse with general healthcare experience
Specialist training in pressure ulcer validation and prevention

5. The process Pressure Damage Electronically Captured on Ward
Validation by TV HCA
Repositioning Frequency and Equipment Check by TV HCA
Signposting by TV HCA
Update Records
Report Data

6. The data

7. The cost
Expenditure
Salary band 3 nurse = £53,382 (£17,794 x 3 years)
Savings over 3 years based on average cost to healing1
Category 2: 220 x 5,241 = £1,153,020
Category 3: -13 x 9,041 = -£117,533
Category 4: 56 x 14,108 = £790,048
Total savings: £1,825,535 (-£53,382)
Net savings: £1,772,153
N.B. these calculations do not account for cost of heel protection equipment
1: Estimates based on Dealey, C., Posnett, J., & Walker, A. (2012). The cost of pressure ulcers in the United Kingdom. Journal of Wound Care, 21(6), pp

8. The future
Continue to strive towards elimination of avoidable pressure damage by collaborative working with the wider health and care community

9. Thank you for listening