Patient safety: skin tone diversity education in pressure ulcer prevention

What is it about?

In pressure ulcer prevention it is important to recognise that not all patients are the same. Health inequities and systemic bias contribute to unequal outcomes and people with dark skin tones have been identified as having a higher prevalence of severe pressure damage. Lack of knowledge among healthcare professionals in assessing dark tone skin is seen as one of the causes and education of healthcare professionals is key to improving patient outcomes.

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Photo by Womanizer Toys on Unsplash

Photo by Womanizer Toys on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Effective PU prevention requires thorough skin assessment so care plans can be tailored to the patient’s individual needs. Organisations need to address skin tone diversity and implement inclusive practices. A focused educational strategy highlighting skin tone diversity has had a positive impact on staff awareness and led to a more inclusive organisation.