Rise in number of patients admitted to the Walton Centre with pressure ulcers

In the last financial year 32 patients were admitted with pressure ulcers they had accquired elsewhere, compared with just 14 in 2009-10, it states.

The report notes that the majority of those pressure sores are ulcers are “grade 1 and 2 superficial damage only”.

But it adds: “It is noted that there is an increase in the numbers admitted for 2010 to 2011 compared to 2009 to 2010. This may be attributed to the increased incidence noted nationally and the need to raise awareness that pressure ulcers are mainly avoidable incidents and should not be considered as the norm.”

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The number of patients that accquired pressure ulcers while in the care of the foundation also rose over the period, from 23 in 2009-10 to 35 the following year.

However, the report states: “There were a total number of 5121 admissions for the year April 2010 to March 2011 giving a pressure ulcer incidence rate of 0.7 per cent for patients acquiring pressure ulcers whilst in our care. This remains unchanged from the previous period of April 2009 to March 2010 and compares favourably with the national average of 7 per cent.”

It adds: “Although the incidence of pressure ulcers has remained unchanged from the previous year the tables identify there has been an increase in the numbers of hospital acquired. The expansion of critical care has seen an increase in the admission of trauma patients. These patients are likely to have unstable spinal injuries and raised intracranial pressures which are a risk factor for acquiring a pressure ulcer. Trust guidelines have been reviewed to reflect this and agreed spinal neck clearance has been included. All spinal patients admitted to the critical care are referred to the spinal nurse specialist.”