Skin Break Down Occurances

1. How do we help prevent these pressure sores/ulcers?

1.1. Movement of ETT Q2 hours between ourselves and nursing staff

1.2. Keeping areas with pressure producing equipment dry

1.3. Frequent breaks from BiPAP/CPAP to assess areas of potential break down

1.4. Proper trach care with special attention to suture removal

2. We Have Breakdown... Now what?

2.1. Identify what kind of break down; ulcerated, redness, bleeding, cracking of the skin, etc.

2.2. Tell someone! We must let nursing know when we are noticing this type of skin break down! They may not be looking as closely at the same areas we are (like on the nose after BiPAP removal!).

2.3. Chart it! After you have told nursing about the skin break down, chart it in IHIS along with the name of who you told!

3. Reasons Why We Care

3.1. 1. Untreated pressure sores can lead to widespread infections, limb amputations or loss of life.

3.2. 2. Pressure sores or pressure ulcers effect blood flow to areas of effect.

3.3. 3. Pressure sores happen from a pressure being applied to an area for too long restricts the amount of blood flow to that area.

3.4. 4. These sores or ulcers don't just happen when a patient isn't getting moved around in bed or turned. They also can happen from every piece of equipment that comes in contact with a patient.