Digital Project Improving Pressure Injury Care Across Isle Of Wight Hospital Wards

The Isle of Wight NHS Trust has launched a new digital initiative that is transforming how pressure injuries are recorded, reviewed and treated across hospital wards, improving patient safety while saving valuable clinical time.

Through close collaboration between ward teams, IT, Pharmacy and the Prevention of Avoidable Harm Council, every ward has now been equipped with a secure iPad.

This allows staff to photograph Category 2 and above pressure injuries and attach the images directly to patient records and incident reports.

Previously, wards did not have the technology to capture clinical images, meaning specialist teams often needed to attend in person to assess wounds.

With a small Tissue Viability team, this could lead to delays.

The new system provides instant visual information, enabling quicker specialist input and

more accurate documentation.

Senior Tissue Viability Nurse Stuart Elliott said the change has been significant:

“As a small team, we simply couldn’t review every pressure injury in person, and it took time.

"This has transformed how quickly and effectively we can review wounds and improve patient safety.”

Images are shared securely via a digital platform and are automatically deleted after use, ensuring both data security and sustainability.

The impact is already being seen. In July, no Category 2 or above pressure injuries were recorded due to the lack of technology.

Now, more than 30 per cent are being captured, with a target of 80 per cent by the end of the financial year.

Ward Sister at Colwell Ward, Joan Pedrozo, said the system has made a real difference on the ward:

“This allows us to easily record and photograph pressure and tissue injuries and send them straight to the specialist teams. It’s much faster, more efficient and very easy to use.”

Delivered from idea to implementation in under a year, the project highlights how digital innovation can enhance patient care, reduce risk and better support frontline staff in delivering safer, faster treatment.