Pressure sore guidelines: patient/carer involvement and education

The important issue of patient/carer involvement in relation to pressure sore prevention and management is referred to in the NHS Executive's (1994) draft document on the prevention and management of pressure sores, commonly known as the 'Pressure sore consensus guidelines'. It states that: 'A multidisciplinary plan of care should be negotiated with individual patients and/or carers taking into consideration their knowledge and experience.' This article explores some of the specific aspects of patient/carer involvement in various settings. Key factors identified during the course of the consensus guidelines development in relation to patient/carer involvement are the assessment of risk, the educational strategy adopted, what information should be included and individual freedom of choice to accept or refuse advice or care.