Putting to bed a sore problem
The issue may seem low-key in comparison to other health problems, but every year the NHS is left picking up the £2.4 billion bill for dealing with the condition.
Now, Morriston Hospital workers are taking simple but effective steps to wipe-out deadly bed sores, which will not only save money but also save lives.
They have been piloting a series of regular checks on patients to keep the sores — also known as pressure ulcers — at bay.
And the move seems to be working, after no patients being treated on Morriston's Anglesey Ward were reported to be suffering with the condition.
The pressure ulcer reduction scheme was piloted following the launch of the two-year-long 1,000 Lives Campaign.
It was launched at the end of April, to save 1,000 lives and prevent 50,000 people from being injured in Welsh healthcare.
Around one in 10 people taken into hospital are harmed unintentionally by its care.
Nigel Broad, senior charge nurse at Morriston's Anglesey Ward, said the scheme had already achieved a 100 per cent success rate.
He said: "A lot of people don't realize pressure ulcers are a big issue.
"They cost the NHS in the UK £2.4 billion a year — four per cent of the NHS budget.
"One in 10 admissions to acute hospitals either have or get a pressure ulcer.
"This can mean a lengthy stay in hospital, sometimes a couple of months at any one time.
"Unfortunately, it can also lead to death, with the late Superman actor Christopher Reeve being an example of this."
Patients who have limited mobility are more prone to bed sores, particularly those who lie or sit in one position for a long time.
It means blood flow is restricted because of pressure of their weight on certain parts of their body, leading to severe tissue damage.
Longer hospital stays and even surgery can be needed for patients worse affected.
But the new checklist of measures, known as the SKIN Bundle, contains a series of good practices to help manage vulnerable patients, particularly those with limited mobility — helping to avoid the problem.
Mr Broad added: "With the development and implementation of the SKIN bundle by staff on Anglesey Ward on April 28, 2008, no new pressure ulcers have been recorded.
"The SKIN bundle is a simple tool to use and is obviously effective when used properly.
"This has clear, measurable improvements for the quality of care we provide for the patient.
"1,000 Lives has put the focus on reducing the incidence of pressure ulcers, and that really is a good thing."
The Morriston Hospital ward is not the only one to benefit. New initiatives have come into force similar to the SKIN bundle and have been rolled out on ward E at Neath Port Talbot Hospital along with ward 16 at Princess of Wales Hospital, in Bridgend.
No problems with bed sores were reported on either ward during 2008.
Karen Kimberley, tissue viability clinical nurse specialist, added: "It is excellent news that we are seeing a reduction in the numbers of patients developing these mostly-preventable ulcers.
"This is good news for patients and good news for the NHS as a whole."
Work is also underway to make sure a record of medication is properly kept when patients are admitted to hospital.
Nicola Garrard, medical admissions pharmacist, at Neath Port Talbot Hospital, involved with the medicines reconciliation pilot, added: "Medicines reconciliation is hugely important, and we regularly see problems which can impact on so many areas.
"We need to know what medication a patient is taking when admitted, and the correct dose, in order to treat them effectively.
"A lot of people are admitted to hospital as a result of their medication, and it's very important to get it right from the start.
"A classic problem is an incorrect drug history giving the wrong dose.
"The problem here is we are not able to optimise therapy, because we don't know the correct dosage they are on to start with, and therefore cannot build on that."
She said: "There may also be a problem with a drug being omitted, like for example blood pressure tablets.
"This could have long-term consequences if the GP assumes they have been stopped intentionally.
"We are piloting a form, which is like a checklist, and makes it less likely to miss anything when the patient is admitted.
"It's still early days, but we're very hopeful that auditing the data will show some real benefits."
A number of pilot projects have been drawn up to improve patient care right across Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University NHS Trust, in areas including critical care, general medical and surgical care, medicines management, reducing bed sores, cutting healthcare associated infections and reducing surgical complications.
Trust chief executive Paul Williams said: "We were delighted to join the campaign at its launch, and it is encouraging to see the positive results which are beginning to emerge.
"I am confident patients will benefit from the hard work and commitment of our staff involved in 1000 Lives. Now the challenge is for these examples to be rolled out across the trust and embedded as everyday practice."
Actor Christopher Reeve died due bed sores.
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