Midland podiatrist wins international award for research into foot pressure ulcer prevention

28 Jul 2017

28 July 2017

Senior Podiatrist Jo Scheepers’ research identified that enhancements to the current guidelines would better identify a patient’s risk of developing pressure injuries, also known as ulcers or bedsores, on their feet while in hospital.

“The results of my research show there is an opportunity to enhance how healthcare professionals assess the risk of patients developing pressure injuries on their feet,” Ms Scheepers said.

“This could lead to more patients having prevention strategies put in place during their hospital stay to reduce their risk.”

Ms Scheepers said the results could greatly assist patient recovery.

“Patients with existing foot conditions and risk factors can be more susceptible to getting pressure injuries on their heels in hospital and, if they do, the injuries can take a very long time to heal or can become infected and possibly result in leg amputation,” she said.

“Often they will need long-term specialist care from podiatrists, doctors and nurses.”

Current guidelines do not require health care professionals to specifically consider the risk of a patient developing pressure injuries on their feet when assessing their risk of developing a pressure injury.

“The results of the research clearly show that foot risk should be included as part of the holistic pressure injury risk assessment,” Ms Scheepers said.

Ms Scheepers, who completed the research as a part of her Masters in Podiatric Medicine at The University of WA, won the 2017 Journal of Tissue Viability and Journal of Clinical Biomechanics Award. She will present her findings at the European Pressure Injury Conference in Belfast in September.

“The opportunity to present at a key note session at an international conference is fantastic and hopefully can influence care worldwide,” she said.

“I feel very honoured to be given this award and it is lovely recognition of all the hard work I did completing my Masters while working full time.”

Ms Scheepers’ recommendations will be included in St John of God Health Care’s training for nurses and soon-to-be released best practice policy guidelines and updated pressure injury risk assessment form.

St John of God Midland Public and Private Hospitals’ Director of Nursing Jeffrey Williams said it was great to see Ms Scheepers’ research recognised at the international level.

“We know that pressure injuries not only have an effect of a patient’s hospital stay, but also their ongoing quality of life, and they are often preventable,” he said.

"It is great to see Jo’s research is helping enhance care not only at Midland but across St John of God Health Care.”