Pressure Ulcers

CNA Shower Assessment: This form recognizes the important role CNAs play in pressure ulcer prevention and empowers them to do regular skin checks. It provides a formal method of communication to the licensed nurses of their review of residents’ skin, which then would be followed up by the licensed staff.

This Skin Care Fair toolkit (link goes to resource page, look "Skin Care Fair" heading) includes a series of exercises to help nursing-home providers treat and prevent pressure ulcers. Provided by EQ Health Solutions, the Medicare QIO for Louisiana.

This tracking poster allows you to record the number of pressure ulcers while also visually indicating an increase or decrease from week to week through the use of paw print stickers. It also provides a separate tracking space for ulcers acquired outside your home, making sure that the proper source is clearly indicated. The attached file is a preview only. To order this poster, please email kbird@primaris.org.

Braden Scale: The Braden Scale is a research-based risk assessment used widely in the nursing community. The format allows for four separate assessments to aid in monitoring change over time.

This poster reminds staff about the importance of repositioning residents. It outlines key PUP tips and provides a space for staff to write in a positioning schedule (8,2,10,4,12,6 or 7,1,9,3,11,5) into the paw print labeled window/door/back. Prints on 11”x17” paper and can be placed in nursing home break rooms or meeting areas.

This tool calculates your pressure ulcer rates in a convenient Excel file. Enter in your monthly data and this spreadsheet will automatically calculate percentages and average yield to date figures. It also provides a graphical representation of your data so you can easily see change over time. Be sure to click on the “instructions” tab before you begin.

These two double-sided reference cards assist clinical staff in the assessment, measurement and documentation of wounds. Print this document on sturdy paper, cut out the cards, and attach them together to make an easy-to-carry pocket card.

All residents should have their skin assessed weekly by a licensed nurse. This form encourages continuity in this documentation.

This document summarizes key points of CMS guideline Tag F314, which state surveyors use as guidance to help them assess nursing homes’ pressure ulcer prevention and treatment. Use this as guidance for assessing the processes in place at your home with regard to pressure ulcer prevention, assessment, intervention, monitoring and care planning.

Resident and Family Education Brochure (PUP): Use this brochure to proactively inform patients, residents and families about individual risk factors and prevention techniques associated with skin breakdown. This tool was designed as a guide to how they can assist the health care team with pressure ulcer prevention.

Nutritional Wound Healing Guidelines: This sample procedure helps enhance pressure ulcer healing by providing recommendations for nutritional intervention whenever possible. These are guidelines only. Individual patient and resident needs must be taken into consideration before implementation.

Tissue Tolerance and Individualized Turning Schedule: This form can be used to document the assessment that led to the individualized repositioning schedule.

Comprehensive Admission Skin Assessment: Conducting a baseline comprehensive assessment of the skin is vital. Staff may use this form to guide them through the assessment.

Pressure Ulcers: Treatment Product Categories: Use this list outlining the major types of products to ensure your nursing center carries an appropriate range of materials for pressure ulcer treatment. Nursing staff should choose the most effective dressing type based on wound stage, characteristics and potential concerns.

LTC Dehydration Risk Assessment: Inadequate fluid intake can place residents at increased risk for pressure ulcers. This tool will help determine resident dehydration risk, enabling staff to take a proactive approach.

Document outlines history, location and appearance of venous insufficiency, arterial insufficiency and peripheral neuropathy.

Daily Skin Monitoring Tool: This tool provides a formal approach for CNAs to report areas of concern with the resident’s skin daily. The licensed staff would then follow-up on noted areas of concern to provide a complete assessment.

Every day look for the warning signs of beginning pressure ulcers. Educate your staff with this easy-to-read poster. Available as both one large 11" x 17" printable poster or as several 8.5" x 11" posters.

Use this form to facilitate communication between the nursing home and physician.

This document provides information about systems to review to reduce pressure ulcers along with information about key interventions to reduce pressure ulcers.