A pressure ulcer is a localized region of injury to the underlying tissue or skin tissue caused by pressure or shear and pressure. A variety of other factors have been referred to as pressure ulcers; however, the importance of these factors has yet to be determined. This essay attempts to analyze and evaluate the ethical issues of preventing pressure ulcers in nursing homes.
Individuals, as well as organizations, have an ethical responsibility to prevent pressure damage. According to the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) code, midwives and nurses must interact with those under their care to ensure that individuals work with health care professionals HCPs to improve their health and wellbeing (Barrois et al., 2017). Nurses must also detect and handle any personal health risks, such as pressure ulcer prevention (PUs) (Lavallée et al., 2019). Healthcare organizations must guarantee that adequate numbers of employees with various skill sets are available to ensure that patients are safe in the environment and that their requirements are addressed safely and appropriately (Lavallée et al., 2019). Patients may not receive a frequent change of posture, skin care, or other essential parts of treatment if a caring environment has a low staffing ratio.
Midwives and Nurses are supported by the NMC code, which states, “You must disclose your concerns in writing if issues in the environment of care are putting individuals at risk”(Lavallée et al., 2019). Standing up to senior staff members takes courage, but failing to report poor care surroundings might be considered as conspiring with others, putting a person’s professional registration in danger (Barrois et al., 2017). Similarly, the healthcare institution must provide adequate handling/moving and pressure-relieving equipment to ensure the safety of both employees and patients.
Nurses have an ethical and moral obligation to the patients they are responsible for. Wound care practice must address the need to collaborate with other organizations, both within the wound care sector and the NHS care, whereby each has its own set of ethical guidelines. Patients will receive the greatest care and be kept safe if all partners adhere to these ethical rules.
References
Barrois, B., Colin, D., & Allaert, F. A. (2017). Prevalence, characteristics and risk factors of pressure ulcers in public and private hospitals care units and nursing homes in France. ResearchGate | Find and share research.
Lavallée, J. F., Gray, T. A., Dumville, J., & Cullum, N. (2019). Preventing pressure ulcers in nursing homes using a care bundle: A feasibility study. Wiley Online Library.