RESEARCHING the best way to reduce the risk of hospital patients developing bedsores on their heels has earned a St John of God Midland Public and Private Hospitals podiatrist an international research award.
Senior podiatrist Jo Scheepers’ research identified that improvements to current guidelines would better identify a patient’s risk of developing pressure injuries on their feet while in hospital.
“The results of my research show there is an opportunity to enhance how healthcare professionals assess the risk of patients developing pressure injuries on their feet,” she said.
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READ NOW“This could lead to more patients having prevention strategies put in place during their hospital stay to reduce their risk.”
Ms Scheepers said the results could greatly assist patient recovery.
“Patients with existing foot conditions and risk factors can be more susceptible to getting pressure injuries on their heels in hospital and if they do, the injuries can take a very long time to heal or can become infected and possibly result in leg amputation,” she said.
Ms Scheepers won the 2017 Journal of Tissue Viability and Journal of Clinical Biomechanics Award.
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