Number of patients with pressure ulcers drops in England

The number of patients with a pressure ulcer in England fell in the past year, according to latest NHS Safety Thermometer figures. 

The safety thermometer is a record of patient harms, including some falls, urinary tract infections in catheterised patients and new venous thromboembolisms, in care settings such as acute hospital wards, community care and nursing homes. 

It found the level of patient assessments that showed a person had a pressure ulcer fell from 4.7% (9,911) in June 2014 to 4.3% (8,744) last month. 

Assessments that showed a new pressure ulcer – one that developed 72 hours or more after the patient was admitted – also dropped from 1% (2,100) to 0.9% (1,874). 

There was an increase in the number of assessments showing none of the four harms from 93.6% (199,261) to 94% (190,025). Falls that resulted in harm remained at the same level, as revealed in 0.7% of assessments (1,502 in June 2014 and 1,334 last month). 

To read the full report, published by the Health and Social Care Information Centre, click here.