Cold Weather Bites

I can't remember having this much snow and ice around for such a long time, I think I was just starting university, but that is now 24 years ago, so let's not go there. As is always the case at this time of year, our A and E departments will be busy with patients who have fallen on icy pavements and those injured in road traffic accidents. For many of the elderly involved in falls at this time of year this unfortunately leads to admission to hospital. As we will all have experienced in the past, those who require more major surgery, such as hip replacements, may then develop complications such as pressure ulcers, chest infection and general loss of independence. In addition, to the traumatic injuries, an increase in numbers of patients with chest infections, influenza and pneumonia will be expected. Again these patients are at risk of developing pressure ulcers as a result of decreased mobility. It is essential therefore, that tissue viability services raise their profile during this time in order to provide education and training for patients, staff and carers. Regardless of the clinical setting, there is a need to ensure that pressure reducing equipment is readily available for staff in areas where patients are at high risk. This may mean ordering extra equipment for the winter period to meet the increased demand.

Winter is often a busy time for all healthcare settings, and services are often stretched, it is helpful to have information on how many patients we are seeing, and how much more time is spent doing clinical work during this part of the year. Using an audit tool such as the Applied Wound Management System can assist in collecting this data and allows the user to examine trends in patient care. Such information can provide valuable support when seeking funding for staff and equipment during periods of high patient demand. Regardless of how this data is collected, it is vital that we continue to record and report what we do, this may help to ensure continued funding for posts and in some cases may lead to increases in funding, although I will not hold my breath.

John Timmons
Editor