What is a Tissue Viability Expert? And how can they help your case?

Tissue viability expert

Tissue viability is the term used to describe the care and treatment of soft tissue wounds including pressure sures, surgical wounds, and ulcers. Without the correct care from a tissue viability expert, a wound can quickly become infected which can lead to much larger medical complications. Prevention of pressure ulcers (or sores) and education surrounding wound care is also part of a tissue viability specialist’s role.

The importance of proper care

Pressure ulcers occur when an individual is sitting or lying in one position for too long. They are particularly common in the elderly as their skin is more easily damaged and can be avoided by regularly changing position, checking the skin daily in people who have limited mobility, ensuring correct mattresses are being used, and having a healthy diet which includes protein, vitamins, and minerals.

Improper training and low staffing levels can lead to high numbers of care home residents and patients in hospitals developing pressure sores which can lead to potentially life-threatening infections.

Wound care is equally as important following an injury or surgery. A wound must be kept clean and dressed to reduce the chances of infection and help a faster recovery. If a wound is not properly cared for, infection can set in quickly. “If a wound infection is not quickly and successfully treated, it may spread,” explains health information site Patient.info. “The surrounding skin may become red and swollen and sore. The infection may spread to the deeper tissues beneath the skin. This spreading infection is called cellulitis. As the infection spreads, it may spread through the blood right through your system, making you feel unwell in yourself. This can give you a temperature and may develop into severe infection called sepsis.”

Pressure sores due to improper care or clinical negligence

If a pressure ulcer develops it can be difficult to treat and take a long time to heal, especially for people with limited or no mobility, or who are confined to a bed or wheelchair. If a pressure ulcer is left untreated, the muscles and bones underneath the affected area can become damaged.

“It can be difficult to completely prevent pressure ulcers, but there are some things you or your care team can do to reduce the risk,” explains the NHS. “If you’re in a hospital or care home, your healthcare team should be aware of the risk of developing pressure ulcers. They should carry out a risk assessment, monitor your skin and use preventative measures, such as regular repositioning.”

When would I need a tissue viability expert?

Any cases or assessments concerning a soft tissue wound or any other condition relating to the skin should involve a tissue viability expert. Any assessments that need to be carried out and any reports provided as part of documentation for a court case would need to come from a tissue viability expert witness who can offer a clinical opinion and insight into the case.

A tissue viability expert witness can assess the standards of wound care an individual received by a healthcare professional and establish whether the provider was negligent, and if so, ascertain the damage caused by the negligence. They will also be able to help determine the recovery journey for the individual in question.

If you would like to discuss instructing a tissue viability expert witness with our team, or inquire about any of our other services, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Bethany Bishop

RN

Bethany is an experienced senior clinical Nurse who has worked in both the NHS and private hospitals for over 30 years.

Such experience includes being fully proficient with both quality and regulatory structures throughout clinical areas including ICU, renal transplants, theatre recovery and anaesthetic pre-assessment wards.

She prepares reports for claimants and defendants and as a single joint expert in liability cases, relating to standards of nursing and care, acceptable practice and risk management.