CGH Chief Nurse and WHC Co-director Ms Png Gek Kheng (left) with a wound care nurse.

Six steps to preventing and managing a pressure I.N.J.U.R.Y.

Constant exposure of skin to moisture from urine or faeces can cause skin damage, increasing risks of pressure ulcers. Practise good personal hygiene to prevent skin breakdown.

Cleanse skin with water or pH-balanced cleansers, and dry skin gently and thorougly after each episode of incontinence. Check with a wound care specialist or nurse on suitable products for protection and dry skin.

Eating a balanced diet provides the nutrients required to maintain healthy skin.

Move regularly to prevent pressure injuries. Turn bed-bound patients every two hours, changing their lying positions to the right, left and flat.

If chair-bound, change positions at least thrice per hour while seated. With a caregiver’s help, lean forward and back or to the sides; raise the body from the chair by lifting upward, or lift feet off the footrest regularly.

There are many types of mattresses, cushions and aids designed to reduce pressure on the skin.

Detect pressure injuries early by checking the skin for:

• Unhealthy colour changes that do not go away, such as red, purple, blue or black skin.
• Skin texture changes like dry patches, swelling, blisters or skin breakage.
• Changes in skin temperature, such as warmer or cooler areas of skin.
  

See a healthcare professional if you notice skin changes. A worsened pressure injury can become harder to treat and lead to complications.

预防及管理压力性损伤

遵循六个简单步骤

每10万名新加坡人当中，就有大约180人遭受压力性损伤。这是樟宜综合医院伤口愈合中心最常见和治疗的慢性损伤之一。压力性损伤通常位于身体的骨骼部份。起初，皮肤会出现小红斑，若不进行适当的护理，它会迅速发展而影响到更深层的组织。

皮肤持续接触尿液或粪便中的水分会导致皮肤受损并增加压疮的风险。为防止皮肤破损，保持良好个人卫生是很重要的。

用水或酸碱平衡的洗洁剂来清洗皮肤，并在每次失禁后，轻轻及彻底地抹干皮肤。请向伤口护理专家或护士咨询合适的护肤产品。

均衡饮食可提供保持皮肤健康所需的营养。

经常摆动能够防止压力性损伤。长期卧床的病人需每两小时翻身一次，变换身体向左向右及躺平的位置。

坐轮椅的人士则必须每小时改变坐姿至少三次。在看护人的协助下，他可以前后倾身或向两侧倾身；将身体从椅子上抬起，或经常将脚抬离脚踏板。

有许多类型的床垫、靠垫和辅助工具可以减轻对皮肤的压力。

定期检查皮肤有助及早发现和治疗压力性损伤，并避免并发症。检查皮肤时，注意以下情况：

• 不健康、不消退的肤色变化，例如红色、紫色、蓝色或黑色的皮肤。
• 皮肤质地的变化，例如皮肤出现干燥斑块、肿胀、水泡或破裂。
• 皮肤温度的变化，例如温度升高或降低的皮肤部分。

若您发现任何皮肤的变化，请向医疗保健专业人士查询。压力性损伤一旦恶化，就会更难治愈，并可导致并发症。

Easing the pressure