Recognise Components of a Risk Prevention Management Plan

For any patient assessed as being ‘at risk’, whether ‘Low’ ‘Medium’ or ‘High’, a management plan must be developed that addresses relevant risk factors.
The plan should include strategies to:

• maintain and improve tissue tolerance to pressure
• protect against forces of pressure, shear and friction
• educate patient, family and carers, as appropriate, to participate in management plans
• detail timeframes for re-assessment of risk
• accurately document and communicate the level of risk, prevention plan, care implemented and evaluation of the effect of the provided care.

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These aspects of management have been well summarised by the AWMA.

AWMA’s summary of PU preventative strategies (396Kb, PDF)

Treating teams need to understand all aspects of PU prevention and management. Responsibility for developing and implementing the management plan needs to be allocated within the team to ensure it is completed and evaluated regularly.

If there are any PUs present, a PU treatment plan will also need to be developed. 

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