Maintaining healthy skin — pressure injury prevention

Reposition at least every 2 hours in bed, keep skin clean and dry, and report ANY reddened area that doesn't fade after pressure is removed — you observe and report; you never diagnose or treat wounds.

1. 1Check pressure points during care: tailbone, heels, hips, elbows, shoulder blades, back of head, ears.
2. 2Reposition on the schedule in the care plan (typically every 2 hours in bed, every hour seated).
3. 3Keep skin clean and dry — moisture from sweat or incontinence breaks skin down fast.
4. 4Watch nutrition and hydration signals; poor intake raises skin risk — report changes.
5. 5Report immediately: redness that doesn't fade, blisters, open areas, drainage, or the client reporting pain at a pressure point.

Pressure injuries can start in hours and become life-threatening. Your daily observations are the early-warning system — nobody else sees the client's skin as often as you do.