OVERVIEW

Pressure ulcers are an unfortunate and painful consequence of patient immobility. Home health aides are on the front line in skin breakdown recognition and therefore have a responsibility to report pressure ulcers when they form. In addition, they must manage the comfort and recovery of patients who develop them. This in-service reveals common pressure sites and teaches aides how to take appropriate actions to prevent patients in the home from developing pressure ulcers.

LESSON OBJECTIVES

After completion of this program, the home health aide will be able to:

- Discuss functions of the skin
- Identify patients at risk for skin breakdown
- Describe the signs and symptoms of skin breakdown
- Identify locations that are prone to skin breakdown
- Recognize factors that contribute to skin tears and skin breakdown
- Observe and report the condition of a person's skin
- Determine action steps the home health aide can take to prevent patient skin breakdown

Contents of this lesson:

- A clearly written fact sheet
- A 10-question post-test to measure understanding of the subject matter
- An answer sheet with a place for the instructor's comments and signature
- An illustrative, homecare-specific case study
- Suggested supplemental learning activities
- An attendance log and certificate of completion