A small group of NHS workers from Sheffield have recorded a music video to be used as a resource to learn about pressure ulcer prevention.
The video, intended to help other health workers but also raise awareness for pressure ulcer prevention, provides instruction on how to identify the symptoms and how to stop them.
The lyrics, which are worked in to the song ‘It’s SSKIN’, an adapted version of the Pet Shop Boys hit ‘It’s a Sin’, were written by Nurse and former Music student Maria Levesley.
“We wanted to do something to promote awareness amongst our staff. At our monthly pressure ulcer meeting, our Tissue Viability Nurse Consultant Brenda King had the idea to do some kind of rap” said Maria.
The term SSKIN is an acronym, each letter representing an instruction.
Surface: ensure the correct mattress, cushion, heel protector etc is used
Skin inspection: early inspection means early detection
Keep moving: change position often
Incontinence: ensure the skin is kept dry and clean
Nutrition: ensure the right diet and appropriate fluids
Pressure ulcers form when pressure is applied to the skin for long periods.
Although they are most commonly found on people that don’t move very much, anyone can get them.
Bailey Green, from Brimington in Chesterfield, was 21 when he felt a pain on his right shoulder. After searching up his symptoms online, he thought he might have a pressure ulcer developing.
“I was spending a lot of time in bed because I was ill, and I noticed a red mark on my shoulder that would hurt when I touched it. Eventually I saw someone and was given some cream which helped, and in time, it went away. But for a while I was really worried about it” said Bailey.
Sometimes, pressure ulcers can add to existing injuries, and can make the chance of death over four times higher. Each year, around 60,000 people, both young and old, die of complications from pressure injuries.
Maria Levesley hopes her music video can serve as a helpful resource in reducing the chance of these complications.
“We used it as a training device for STH community staff, but it has already grown and could be used for training and wider awareness work."
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