A nurse from the NHS trust that runs Ealing Hospital, Central Middlesex and Northwick Park has been recognised internationally for championing a skin tone card to help detect early signs of pressure ulcers in Black and Asian patients.
Luxmi Dhoonmoon, a nurse consultant in tissue viability at London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust (LNWH), is said to be the first in the world to promote this tool.
Her innovation has earned her nominations from The Nursing Times and Health Service Journal.
Dermatologists have been using skin-tone gradients for many years to rule out cancer but never before to spot potential pressure ulcers.
Ms Dhoonmoon became concerned after noticing that many patients from ethnic minorities were presenting with late-stage pressure ulcers – potentially serious wounds that can expose bone and severely impact quality of life.
She said: “Sometimes things are so obvious we overlook them.”
Now, all nurses and healthcare assistants in the trust use a skin tone card showing a range of skin colours from light to dark. While similar cards are used by dermatologists to help identify skin cancers, their use in pressure ulcer detection had not been considered.
Ms Dhoonmoon added: “The combination of a lack of awareness and potential sensitivities around clinical staff querying skin tone discolouration means this has gone unnoticed.”
She hopes the tool can also aid in spotting early-stage cellulitis and is already receiving interest from clinicians as far away as Australia.
