Under the SSKIN

Since W2tQ started almost 15 years ago a collection of 250 draft posts have gathered (virtual dust). Many are probably empty - half-baked ideas - with no clear title (reminder - of the contents).

In nursing there are (thankfully) constant reminders, one being: the need to strike a balance between the person, being least restrictive, assumed mental capacity, best interests and high quality care delivery.

Revisiting the threshold concepts, h2cm and deprivation of liberty safeguarding draft paper brings recollection of a draft post and the lesson:

In many nursing situations you cannot assess what you cannot see.

In Nursing Times 29.11.11 a Nursing Practice comment item was titled:

“Compulsory training would help every HCA spot moisture lesions” 

Denise Elson, points to the SKIN (Surface, Keep moving, Incontinence and Nutrition) bundle as a set of very useful principles, and further refined to SSKIN:

SSKIN - Surface: Skin inspection: Keep moving: Incontinence: Nutrition

The Tissue Viability use the principle of SSKIN:

• Surface: make sure you're on a supportive surface 
• Skin inspection: check it isn't discoloured or sore 
• Keep moving: change your position often 
• Incontinence: keep clean and dry 
• Nutrition: eat healthily and drink frequently ( https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/tv-sskin )

As a reflective exercise, if needed, think about SSKIN within h2cm - Hodges' model. Not just the physical (SCIENCES) focus but how these relate to the INTRA-INTERPERSONAL, SOCIAL, POLITICAL and the SPIRITUAL. We will revisit this using h2cm.

On the blog's 15th anniversary 20th April, I'll also try and put some numbers together.

Whitlock, J., et al. (2011) Using the skin bundle to prevent pressure ulcers. Nursing Times; 107: 35, 20-23.

See also:
Tissue Viability Society