How to prevent pressure injury during patient rehabilitation

Empowering movement is fundamental to any patient rehabilitation programme and is a core principle in the prevention of pressure injury development. With the impact of the current pandemic, the focus on mobilising and rehabilitating patients earlier and often throughout the day has never been higher.

Rehab activities versus musculoskeletal injury
However, encouraging and supporting patients to move can be associated with additional risks. Inappropriate methods of patient repositioning and mobilisation during transfer and rehab activities, can pose a risk of pressure injury for patients. This can also be a key contributor to musculoskeletal injury and pain among nurses and therapists1,2 and reduce working efficiencies. The financial impact for the organisation can be far reaching3,4,5 and reduce the quality of care patients receive.

Patient Repositioning
Patients need to move many times throughout the day, there is potential for increased friction, and shear exerted on their skin through common repositioning and rehab activities. There are also many ‘mobility moments’ during the day which offer patients the opportunity to reposition themselves. Whilst ultimately beneficial from a rehab perspective, this may lead to ‘inappropriate’ movements such as shuffling or sliding across surfaces, potentially creating friction and shear.

Patient Handling Guidelines
The use of Patient Handling technology in rehabilitation can have a positive impact for patients and caregivers, promote healthier outcomes and reduce immobility associated conditions, such as pressure injury development. Current best practice guidelines recommend that safe patient handling and mobility technology positively influences the quality of patient care, mobilisation, rehabilitation and daily life6. International guidelines recommend the use of appropriate equipment to assist in lifting the individual and reduce unintended drag7

 
Rehab activities and transfer devices to help reduce pressure injuries
The use of friction reducing devices such as slide sheets and air assisted transfer devices can reduce risk of pressure injury and reduce the physical load for the caregiver8. Using slide sheets and repositioning slings during common rehab activities may help. They can be used to support the therapist to encourage the patient to re-learn to reposition in bed without the need for manual assistance, which can often lead to unintended drag, friction and shear. They can also support patients to reposition themselves more easily, thus contributing to pressure injury prevention and rehab goals.

Standing and raising aids to help facilitate rehab activities
Patients are at less risk of falls when appropriately supported during rehab activities which has a positive impact on achieving rehab goals and avoiding further unnecessary periods of immobility. Standing and raising aids such as active lifts and transfer devices can be used to facilitate mobilisation and rehab activities whilst also promoting patient and caregiver safety9 .They can also create much needed opportunities for easier skin inspection. Their use within a safe patient handling programme can reduce immobility and is ultimately associated with fewer pressure injuries in patients10 Using technology as a ‘mobility partner’, reduces the need for physical assistance from the caregiver, freeing them up to provide the therapeutic support required.

It is important that caregivers have access to the right equipment and care skills to be able to empower movement safely and effectively through rehabilitation activities. This is fundamental in promoting healthier outcomes and reduction of harm for those affected by immobility related challenges.