Pressure Ulcer Prevention and Triggers
Surface. If the client is unable to change their own position, it is likely they will be pressing against the same surface for long periods of time between visits. This makes it crucial that if this is the case the person is assessed appropriately for any aids that may help with this. If aids are recommended, it is vitally important that you use them regularly. If you are not trained to use them then you must seek support.
Skin Inspection. The first stage of damage to the skin will be obvious with the skin looking red and sore, especially over bony areas of the body. It is important that you are observant for this when delivering any care. Ensure if you do notice anything it is reported to the office so we can act on the information before any further damage to the skin occurs.
Keep Moving. If a person is unable to change their own position in the bed or chair, encourage them to walk a short distance as able at each visit with support, if they cannot walk can they stand with assistance to relieve the pressure? Consider, if the person is unable to do any of the above if, whether benefit will be gained from positional change. Speak to the office we can help assess this and put implementation plans in place.
Incontinence. Moisture can damage the skin as well as pressure. For this reason, it is important to support our clients to maintain clean and dry skin if they are unable to do so themselves.
Nutrition. It is imperative your client has had good nutrition and fluid intake. This keeps the skin healthy, reducing the risk of pressure ulcers and reducing the time for skin to heal. If you are concerned about a client with a poor appetite or fluid intake please inform the office!
All of the above factors impact negatively on the skin if not managed carefully. If you have any concerns about your clients at all please ring the office so we can evaluate the care plan and make appropriate referrals to professionals for expert support.
Has needs for care and support, and
Is experiencing or is at risk of abuse and neglect; and
As a result of those care and support needs is unable to protect themselves from either risk of, or the experience of abuse or neglect
Action
At Risk-
Inform Case Manager who will inform the Social Worker or Care Manager at Local Authority
- Carer to record everything
- Case Manager to submit Safeguarding Adults notification form to Local Authority.
- Registered Manager and Quality and Compliance Manager to be informed, who will decide if any further action needs to be taken and inform Company Directors.
High Risk
- Consider if the person is in immediate danger, if yes inform the police.
- Inform Case Manager, who will inform the Social Worker or Care Manager at Local Authority.
- Case Manager to submit Safeguarding Adults Enquiry form
- Care worker to record everything.
- Registered Manager and Quality and Compliance Manager to be informed, who will decide if any further action needs to be taken and inform Company Directors.
Immediate Danger
- Phone 999 immediately.
- Inform Case Manager who will inform Social Worker/Care Manager and EDT if out of hours
- Care worker to record everything
- Submit Safeguarding Adults Enquiry form
- Registered Manager and Quality and Compliance Manager to be informed, who will decide if any further action needs to be taken and inform Company Directors.
- Inform CQC
Golden rules
- The person identifying the concern should not put themselves at risk.
- If you believe a crime may have been committed, every care should be taken to preserve evidence and do not touch anything that could provide evidence that a crime may have been committed
- Where there is an allegation or signs of physical or sexual attack, try not to allow the vulnerable adult to wash, bathe, eat or drink until the option of a medical examination is given. Use 999 as your first contact immediately.
- The most important point of all is if you suspect that something has occurred then report it at your earliest opportunity – do not expect others to report it on your behalf, you will never be criticised for acting in good faith. No matter how big or small your concern, please be reassured it will be taken seriously.
- If for some reason you cannot personally phone the office or speak to a member of staff then please complete the “Sphere Specialist Healthcare – Concern for Wellbeing Form “which you should have been given at induction, copies of which will be enclosed in the clients file or you can obtain these from your Case Manager, submit this form at your earliest opportunity. You can also submit an alert online via the care worker portal.
- If in any doubt at all then please ask.
As always, Sphere Specialist Healthcare staff are contactable and available to give advice should you have any concerns or queries.
Responsibilities
- • Sphere Specialist Healthcare will engage with the Safeguarding Adults Board (SAB) and ensure good working relationships are maintained, we need you to be our eyes and ears to help us do so!
- We will maintain up-to-date, functional policies and procedures, care workers are responsible for ensuring they know what is contained within these.
- We will work with clients to help them understand safeguarding and help shape responses to it, it is important that they are aware of processes and feel comfortable coming to Sphere Specialist Healthcare staff with any concerns or queries.
- Sphere Specialist Healthcare safeguarding lead is Carly Fortune.
- We will provide Safeguarding training at induction. Please work with us to ensure your training remains up to date. You can book this via your Case Manager or on the website.
- We will share all Information which is relevant and necessary to safeguard individuals that support the ‘supply of information’ to the SAB. We may ask you to attend a meeting to give us information or provide a written statement as evidence. This is nothing to worry about and just so we have the information firsthand.
- We will integrate and cooperate with other parts of the sector and support you to do so if needed or requested.
- We will engage with, or lead, section 42 enquiries as requested, this may involve obtaining evidence from care workers.
- We will do all we can to equip you with knowledge of when to report concerns, and who to report to, if you aren’t sure we are always on hand to help.
- We place an emphasis on prevention, information, and advocacy.
- We understand the importance of balancing choice, control and safety – helping to Make Safeguarding Personal. We will support clients to set and achieve goals and support positive risk taking when this is practicable, working with safeguarding and the wider Multi-Disciplinary team to ensure risk is minimised and the activity is as safe as possible.