Your Personal Safety

Skin Care and Pressure Ulcer Prevention

Being confined to bed or a chair without the ability to change positions is a risk factor for injury to your skin and for the development of pressure ulcers. The nursing staff will routinely assess your risk for the development of skin breakdown and pressure ulcers and takes measure for prevention. The staff will provide more information about your skin care and pressure ulcer prevention.

Here are some of the things you can do to reduce the risk of skin breakdown and pressure ulcers while you are here and when you are discharged to home:

• Examine areas of your body for reddened skin
• Avoid excess bathing
• Apply moisturizers
• Use pads to absorb wetness away from the skin
• Clean your skin as soon as possible after soiling from urine or stool
• Apply creams or ointments to protect your skin from urine, stool, or drainage
• Change positions in bed every one to two hours
• Shift your weight in the chair every fifteen minutes
• Lift instead of dragging your body when repositioning in bed
• Place pillows or folded towels between arms, knees and ankles with in bed
• Eat a well-balanced diet that provided adequate protein and calories

If you notice any reddened areas that do not disappear after a few minutes, notify your nurse.

Fall Prevention

Our staff takes every precaution to protect our patients from accidental falls.  Each patient admitted to the hospital is assessed for fall risk and designated as either low or high risk for falling, then specific measures are taken to help reduce the risk of falling.  The nursing staff will provide more information about fall prevention.

Here are some of the things you can do to help reduce your fall risk:

• Always follow your primary care provider’s orders and nurse’s instruction regarding whether you must stay in bed, require assistance to the bathroom, etc.
• If you may be up and about on your own, sit up in bed for a while before standing up. Rise carefully and slowly begin to walk. Ask for assistance if you feel dizzy or weak when getting out of bed.
• The nursing staff will make sure that your call button is within reach. If you need assistance, use your call button. Remain lying or seated while waiting for help.
• Keep all things you need within easy reach. Ask for assistance if you cannot reach something.
• Wear non-skid shoes or slippers when ambulating, and consider wearing non-skid slipper socks at night while in bed.
• Do not lean on the over bed tables or any furniture with wheels or a mobile base.