While you are in hospital, our staff will regularly check your ability to sit, stand and walk. Staying mobile or moving in bed as often as possible can also help prevent blood clots or pressure injuries.
Keeping mobile
We encourage your involvement to improve your mobility, ensuring you remain as independent as possible and help speed your recovery.
If you need assistance to move on or off your bed, staff will use various lifting devices to ensure you are moved comfortably and safely.
If you have any questions, speak to your nurse.
Preventing pressure injuries
Pressure injuries (bed sores) are areas of damage to the skin or underlying tissue, caused by lying in one place for too long or your skin rubbing against another surface.
Where possible, it's important to keep moving while you are in bed to help reduce the risk of pressure injuries.
To help prevent pressure injuries, try to:
- Keep moving if you can, even in bed, and call us if you are uncomfortable
- Change position often. We can help you do this and can also provide a special mattress or cushion for support
- Keep your skin and bedding dry and let staff know if your bedding is damp
Patients who are not very mobile or have poor blood supply to the legs and feet are at most risk of developing a pressure injury.
In most cases, pressure injuries can be prevented. Your nurse will regularly check your skin for signs of damage, but if you have any discomfort, let your nurse know.
Preventing blood clots
If you are in hospital for a longer stay, your risk of getting a blood clot in your leg or your lung is much higher than usual.
It's important to keep moving while you are in bed to reduce the risk of blood clots.
To help prevent blood clots, try to:
- Keep your legs and ankles moving even when you are in bed
- Drink fluids as recommended
- Wear compression stockings if asked to do so
You may also be provided with a foot pump.