1.4 Describe how incorrect handling and moving techniques can damage the skin

This guide will help you answer 1.4 Describe how incorrect handling and moving techniques can damage the skin.

Using incorrect handling and moving techniques during care work can cause serious harm to an individual’s skin. The skin is the body’s largest organ, playing a critical role in protecting against infection, maintaining body temperature, and sensing the environment. Damage to the skin, particularly for individuals with reduced mobility or medical conditions, can lead to pain, infections, and further complications. This is why understanding the risks associated with poor handling techniques is so important.

How does the Skin Work?

The skin is made up of three main layers:

1. Epidermis: This is the tough, outer layer of skin. It acts as a barrier to protect the body.
2. Dermis: Found beneath the epidermis, this layer contains blood vessels, nerves, hair follicles, and sweat glands.
3. Subcutaneous Layer: This layer comprises fat and connective tissue, helping to cushion the body and regulate temperature.

Each layer plays an important role, and damage to any one of them can impact the skin’s ability to function properly.

How Incorrect Techniques Can Lead to Skin Injury

Using improper techniques when lifting, repositioning, or moving an individual places undue stress on the skin. Here’s how different factors can contribute to skin damage:

Friction

Friction occurs when the skin is dragged across a surface, such as a bed sheet or chair. This can lead to:

• Skin Abrasions: Scratches or grazes that break the epidermis, causing pain and an entry point for bacteria.
• Shearing Injuries: When the skin moves in one direction while underlying tissues move in another, deeper damage can occur to the dermis or even the subcutaneous layer.

Shearing is common when individuals are pushed or pulled across a surface without being fully lifted.

Pressure

Prolonged or excessive pressure on one part of the skin can cause reduced blood flow to that area. Over time, this can result in:

• Pressure Ulcers: Open sores that develop when an area of the skin and flesh is starved of oxygen.

Improper moving techniques, such as allowing an individual to sit or lie in one position for extended periods, increase the likelihood of these ulcers forming.

Bruising and Tearing

The skin becomes thinner and less elastic with age or certain medical conditions. Improper handling can easily lead to:

• Bruises: Damage to the blood vessels beneath the skin.
• Skin Tears: Partial loss of the epidermis, often caused by rough gripping or dragging.

Damage From Equipment or Support Aids

Incorrect use of slings, hoists, or transfer boards can harm the skin. For example:

• Straps or edges digging into the skin can cause pressure sores or cuts.
• Over-tightened slings may pinch or abrade the skin.
• Poorly maintained equipment with sharp edges can cause accidental lacerations.

Populations Most at Risk

Some individuals are more vulnerable to skin damage due to their unique needs or conditions. These include:

• Older Adults: Ageing skin is thinner and more fragile.
• Individuals With Limited Mobility: Prolonged pressure on one area increases the risk of sores.
• People With Medical Conditions: Conditions like diabetes can affect the skin’s ability to heal.

The Role of Clothing and Bedding

Clothing or bedding that is too rough, tight, or ill-fitting can exacerbate skin damage. If an individual is moved across creased bedding or wears garments that rub excessively, this can lead to friction burns or abrasions.

Preventing Skin Damage During Handling

Staff can take practical steps to prevent skin damage while handling or moving individuals:

1. Using Approved Techniques: Follow training and guidance on safe handling methods, such as using two people for a transfer when required.
2. Employing Equipment Correctly: Choose appropriate aids, such as slide sheets, to reduce friction and shear. Always check that equipment is in good condition.
3. Lifting Instead of Dragging: Always lift individuals fully rather than dragging them. This prevents friction-related injuries.
4. Providing Adequate Support: Use hands, equipment, or padding to distribute pressure evenly and prevent concentrated stress on one area.
5. Protective Measures: Apply protective dressing to vulnerable areas of the skin, such as heels or elbows, to reduce the risk of sores.

Consequences of Skin Damage

When skin is damaged, the individual is at risk of:

• Infection: Open wounds can allow bacteria to enter the body.
• Pain and Discomfort: Even minor injuries like abrasions can be painful, making movement and care more challenging.
• Reduced Mobility: Painful skin injuries may deter individuals from moving, worsening immobility issues.

Legal Implications and Duty of Care

Care workers in the UK have a legal duty of care to prevent harm to those they support. Breaching this duty, leading to skin damage from improper handling, could result in:

• Complaints or disciplinary action.
• Legal claims for negligence.
• Damage to the worker’s professional reputation.

The importance of following proper handling and moving procedures cannot be overstated as part of professional practice.

Training and Support for Care Workers

To minimise the risk of skin damage caused by improper techniques, care workers can engage in:

• Manual Handling Training: This includes learning the correct methods to move individuals safely.
• Regular Supervision: Managers can observe and correct poor handling techniques.
• Ongoing Risk Assessments: Tailoring care plans to reflect the individuals’ needs and skin condition, reducing risk areas during handling tasks.

Final Thoughts

Incorrect handling and moving techniques can severely damage a person’s skin. Friction, shear, pressure, and equipment misuse all contribute to serious problems, including skin tears, abrasions, and pressure ulcers. By using correct techniques, understanding individual risks, and accessing appropriate training, care workers can reduce the likelihood of skin damage. Protecting the skin is not just about physical wellbeing. It ensures the dignity, comfort, and trust of those receiving care in their most vulnerable moments.