It is important to get a good system for delivering a risk assessment within 6 hours of admission. Once that system is developed and every patient/client is reliably assessed for pressure ulcer risk within 6 hours of admission, another element of improvement, which also contributes to the care bundle, could be attempted.

Risk Assessment - What can we do to ensure it happens?

• Improve processes to ensure that risk assessment is conducted within six hours of admission for all patients/clients.
• Include a visual cue (ie coloured sticker) on each admission documentation record for the completion of a total skin assessment and risk assessment. 
• Agree on the use of a standard risk assessment tool (for example; Braden Scale, Waterlow scale).
• Utilise multiple methods to alert or visually cue healthcare providers as to which patients/clients are at risk.  For example, consider using stickers in the patient/client chart or on the patient/client’s door so that all who are involved in their care will realize the patient/client is at risk for pressure ulcer development. This allows for a quick identification by any healthcare provider of patients/clients at risk, and prompt implementation of prevention strategies.

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