Pressure care practice and occupational therapy: findings of an exploratory study

Pressure ulcers are a severe and costly yet usually preventable burden on health-care systems worldwide. Occupational therapists are recognised members of the multidisciplinary team involved in the provision of pressure care. However, published evidence supporting their role is limited. The aim of this study was to explore the profile of occupational therapy in pressure care to gain an Australian perspective on current practice.

A cross-sectional self-administered online survey was developed and distributed through OT AUSTRALIA to collect responses from practicing occupational therapists across Australia.

A total of 277 completed surveys were returned. Aged care formed the largest practice area group with 38% of the sample. Over half of the participants worked in community settings (53%) and were involved in pressure care on a regular basis. Risk assessment scales were used by 84% of participants with the Waterlow being the most frequently administered scale (61%). The most frequently used interventions were the prescription of seating surfaces and pressure relief mattresses, education of the client (weight shifting and skin care), transfer training and increasing physical activity to relieve pressure, all identified by over 80% of the sample.

Occupational therapists play a critical role in the prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers and are expected to make best-practice, cost-effective decisions with a limited evidence base to support them. Results of this study highlight the need for pressure care practice to be explored further, particularly in community aged care settings.