Improving pressure damage detection in the community using continuous pressure monitoring Peninsula Community Health

Each year approximately half a million people in the UK will develop at least one pressure ulcer. Pressure ulcers usually affect people with an underlying health condition, often with high levels of frailty. Most pressure ulcers develop while patients are in their own homes. However, research and technology has tended to focus on the hospital setting.

Cornwall has a higher than average elderly population. Around five to seven severe pressure ulcers are reported each month. Some patients have said they are reluctant to use pressure-relieving equipment as it can be uncomfortable, hot and noisy.

Continuous pressure monitoring technology can be used to identify ‘hot-spots’ of pressure, generated when patients sit in one position for long periods. For people in the community who have limited mobility, this innovative technology can identify pressure ulcer risk much earlier, allowing the patient to adjust their position accordingly and so help prevent actual damage occurring.

This project by Peninsula Community Health will focus on older people living in the community in Cornwall. By introducing continuous pressure monitoring, coupled with patient and carer education, it will be possible to determine if pressure ulcer risk can be self-managed by patients.

It is anticipated that over a 12 month period around 50 patients from across Cornwall will be recruited to the project. Improvements will be measured by investigating changes in incidence of pressure ulcers, size of ulcer formation, nursing time, level of patient/carer engagement in ulcer prevention behaviours, and satisfaction with the new technology. 

Contact details

For more information about this project, please contact Nicci Aylward-Wotton, Lead Nurse Tissue Viability at Peninsula Community Health.