Understanding It
What a Pressure Injury Is
Pressure injuries occur when sustained pressure on an area of skin reduces blood flow to the tissue beneath. Without adequate blood supply the tissue begins to die.
They develop over bony areas where there is little padding: the tailbone, hips, heels, elbows, shoulder blades, the back of the head, and the ears.
Damage can begin within a couple of hours in a vulnerable person, and often starts beneath the surface, meaning what is visible on the skin may be considerably less than the damage underneath.
Friction, shearing when someone slides down in a bed or chair, and moisture from perspiration or incontinence all increase the risk.
How does it usually present?
- Early: an area of redness that does not blanch when pressed, or a change in colour, warmth, firmness or texture compared with surrounding skin.
- On darker skin tones, colour change may be subtle and the area may look purple, blue or shiny: assess for warmth, firmness and pain rather than relying on redness
- Progressing: a shallow open wound, blister or abrasion
- Advanced: deeper wounds involving fat, muscle or bone
- Pain or tenderness over a bony area
- A purple or maroon discoloured area, or a blood-filled blister, which can indicate deep tissue damage
Non-blanching redness is the point at which to act. At that stage the damage is often reversible.
When to Act
When to Seek Help
Act on the first sign. Any area of redness that does not blanch, or persists after pressure is relieved, requires assessment within 1-2 days. Pressure injuries can become serious quickly in vulnerable people — do not wait to see whether an infected-looking wound improves.
Seek urgent medical care if there is:
- Fever, shivering, confusion, or the person feeling generally unwell with a pressure injury — possible systemic infection
- Spreading redness, warmth, swelling or increasing pain around the wound
- Pus, foul odour, or rapid deterioration
- Black or dark tissue in the wound
- A wound that has become deeper or larger quickly
- Exposed bone, tendon or muscle
Causes & Risk
Who Is at Risk
- Anyone with limited mobility, particularly those confined to a bed or a chair
- Reduced sensation: spinal cord injury, neuropathy, stroke
- Poor nutrition or hydration, or unintentional weight loss
- Incontinence and moisture on the skin
- Frail or thin skin
- Poor circulation, diabetes, or low oxygen levels
- Cognitive impairment reducing repositioning
- Recent surgery or hospital admission
- Existing or previous pressure injury
How We Help
How Our Team Can Help
Prevention is more effective than treatment. Having the team involved before an injury develops can reduce the risk of deterioration.
Nursing
Full wound assessment and staging, dressing selection and review, measurement and photographic documentation, infection monitoring and escalation, nutrition assessment with dietetics referral, and clear reporting to your GP.
Occupational Therapy
Pressure risk assessment, prescription of pressure-relieving equipment such as mattresses, overlays, cushions and seating, repositioning schedules, transfer technique to reduce shearing, and seating assessment where someone spends long periods in a chair.
Education for family and support workers covers repositioning, skin checking, moisture management and early recognition.
Starting Out
What to Expect at Your First Appointment
A nurse visits at home, assesses the wound and the whole skin, reviews mobility, nutrition, continence and current equipment as a baseline.
Where equipment or seating is contributing, an occupational therapy assessment is arranged.
You will receive a wound management plan, a repositioning and prevention plan, and clear written guidance for whoever provides daily care.
Ready to book?
Ready to get started?
Contact inOne Healthcare on 1300 765 456 or submit a referral online. Pressure injuries are managed by our Nursing and Occupational Therapy teams.
info@inonehealthcare.com.au
Flexible Options
Funding we accept.
Support at Home
For older Australians, nursing and occupational therapy sit in the clinical care category and are fully government funded regardless of income or assets.
AT-HM scheme
Pressure-relieving mattresses, cushions and equipment for older Australians, across three tiers up to $500, $2,000 and $15,000 in a 12-month period. Complex equipment requires occupational therapy prescription.
NDIS
Nursing and pressure care equipment where related to a funded disability.
Home Care Package and CHSP
For eligible clients.
Private
No referral required.
Free 20min Consultation
Unsure what support you need, or have funding enquiries? Book a free 20-minute telehealth consultation with our team.