Pressure ulcer prevention, patient positioning and protective equipment.

Pressure ulcer (PU) prevention is a high priority for health professionals in all settings. While PU incidence is expected to rise given the ageing population in the UK and Europe, PUs can occur in people of any age. It is therefore imperative that all practitioners know about the causes and consequences of PUs and be aware of up-to-date guidance on the prevention and management in patients who have developed a PU or who are at risk of developing a PU. Health professionals should also be aware of preventive equipment highlighted in national and local guidance, prevention strategies and protocols. This article discusses these issues and the Devon (Cardinal Health) prevention and repositioning product range.

Portable Negative Pressure Wound Therapy: A Case Study of a Patient Treated in the Community in Jersey.

The aim of this case study is to describe the authors' experience with the use of portable negative pressure wound therapy (pNPWT) in a non-NHS community health care environment. In this context, wound care products are funded by the individual patient. Nurses struggle to reconcile best practice and current evidence-based care when cost implications limit treatment options. In this case, funding for pNPWT was provided by a local charity. This afforded the patient the opportunity to receive best-practice wound care, and significant wound healing, pain reduction and improved patient satisfaction were achieved. Further investigation is required around the suitability of developing a strategic plan to facilitate delivery of pNPWT within the authors' community nursing service.