Aim of the Course

The course aims to help learners prevent avoidable pressure damage through person-centred risk assessment, regular skin observation, repositioning, appropriate equipment, accurate documentation and timely escalation.

Scope of the Course

The course is suitable for healthcare assistants, care assistants, support workers, senior carers, nursing associates, registered nurses and others involved in pressure-area care across adult health and social care settings.

Completion does not independently authorise a learner to diagnose or formally categorise pressure ulcers, select specialist equipment, prescribe treatment or change a wound-care plan. These activities must remain within the learner’s role, assessed competence and local clinical procedures.

What This Course Covers

The course covers:

1. Causes and development of pressure ulcers
2. Individual risk factors and structured risk assessment
3. Skin inspection across different skin tones
4. Pressure-ulcer categories and other skin conditions
5. Repositioning and mobility support
6. Pressure-redistributing equipment
7. Nutrition, hydration and continence care
8. Medical device-related pressure damage
9. Wound assessment and treatment principles
10. Documentation, reporting and escalation
11. Person-centred care and shared decision-making
12. Incident learning and quality improvement

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, learners should be able to:

1. Explain how pressure and shear can cause tissue damage.
2. Identify common anatomical areas vulnerable to pressure ulcers.
3. Recognise individual factors that increase pressure-ulcer risk.
4. Explain when risk assessment and reassessment are required.
5. Conduct skin observations within their role and competence.
6. Recognise early signs of pressure damage across different skin tones.
7. Describe the recognised pressure-ulcer categories.
8. Distinguish possible pressure damage from common moisture-related damage.
9. Follow an individualised repositioning and mobility plan.
10. Use pressure-redistributing equipment safely within their role.
11. Support appropriate continence, skin-care, nutrition and hydration measures.
12. Identify risks associated with medical devices.
13. Record observations and preventive interventions accurately.
14. Recognise signs of infection, deterioration or deep-tissue damage.
15. Escalate concerns promptly through the correct clinical pathway.
16. Explain when specialist tissue-viability or other clinical input is required.
17. Involve the person appropriately in decisions about prevention and care.
18. Use incidents and audit findings to support safer practice.

Further Reading and References

Legislation and regulations

1. Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014—Regulation 12 — requires safe care and treatment, risk assessment and action to prevent avoidable harm.

National guidance and standards

1. NICE CG179: Pressure ulcers—prevention and management — national recommendations covering risk assessment, prevention and treatment.
2. NICE QS89: Pressure ulcers — quality statements supporting consistent pressure-ulcer prevention and management.
3. NHS England: Recording patient-safety events and levels of harm — national guidance relevant to defining and recording pressure ulcers within episodes of care.