What action should be taken for patients with identified risk factors for pressure injury?

Implementing a tailored prevention protocol is essential for patients with identified risk factors for pressure injury because it directly addresses the need to minimize the likelihood of injury development. Individuals at risk for pressure injuries, such as those with limited mobility, nutritional deficiencies, or certain comorbidities, benefit significantly from proactive measures tailored to their specific needs.

This approach can include regular repositioning schedules, specialized support surfaces (like pressure-relieving mattresses), and nutritional support to enhance skin integrity. By proactively managing the risk factors through a specific protocol, the likelihood of developing pressure injuries can be significantly reduced.

Other actions, while they might have a role in patient care, do not provide the same immediate and specialized intervention necessary for preventing pressure injuries in at-risk patients. For instance, follow-up assessments, while important, are often reactive and do not address current risks. Informing the physician may be appropriate in certain circumstances, but it doesn’t directly mitigate the risk of pressure injuries. Discharging a patient to home care without addressing their specific risk for pressure injury could result in insufficient safeguards against injury. Therefore, a tailored prevention protocol is the most proactive and effective response.