Prevention of Community Acquired Pressure Ulcers Using SSKIN Bundle at Home

Pressure ulcers remain a significant healthcare burden in community and home care settings, particularly among immobile patients. Effective prevention strategies require caregiver education and implementation of evidence-based care bundles. The SSKIN care bundle (Surface, Skin inspection, Keep moving, Incontinence management, Nutrition) is an internationally recognized approach, but its effectiveness when implemented by informal home caregivers using culturally adapted materials remains unclear. This study aimed to compare the knowledge and competency of informal caregivers who received structured training on the SSKIN care bundle versus those receiving traditional verbal instructions, and to evaluate the impact of this training on the incidence of pressure ulcer development in community-dwelling patients at risk for pressure ulcers. Eligible patients were ≥18 years old, at risk for pressure ulcers due to limited mobility (bed-bound or requiring mechanical assistance for repositioning), able to provide informed consent, and receiving home health care services. Eligible caregivers were informal or hired caregivers responsible for daily patient care. Primary outcomes included the caregivers' knowledge of pressure ulcer prevention, assessed via pre-test and post-test questionnaires and the incidence of new pressure ulcers developed during the 6-month follow-up period. Secondary outcome was the mortality rate during the study period.