Undertake tissue viability risk assessment for individuals

This standard covers undertaking risk assessment in relation to pressure area care and the risk of skin breakdown. This assessment will take place across a variety of health and social care settings, throughout hospitals, including operating departments, hospices, nursing and residential homes, day centres, and individual's own homes. Risk assessment will include the use of different assessment tools selected for use to fit the individual and the environment. The assessment could be undertaken by a variety of staff within the varied care settings and is an ongoing process demanding constant review and evaluation. 

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1. access and accurately interpret all relevant work instructions and information
2. work safely at all times and in accordance with all relevant legislation, guidelines, policies, procedures and protocols
3. deal promptly and effectively with any problems within your control and report those which cannot be solved
4. identify and minimise hazards and risk in the workplace
5. communicate with the individual and key people at a pace, in a manner and at a level appropriate to the individual's understanding, preferences and needs
6. respect the individual's rights and wishes relating to their privacy, beliefs and dignity
7. provide support to the individual and ensure health and safety measures are implemented at all times
8. identify individuals who may be at risk of impaired tissue viability and skin breakdown
9. identify any pre-disposing factors which might exacerbate risk
10. identify any external factors which you should consider in your assessment
11. collect the relevant documentation, including agreed assessment tool for use before starting the assessment
12. gain valid, informed consent from the individual in accordance with organisational procedures
13. assess the individual's risk of tissue breakdown using the criteria laid down in the assessment tool you are using
14. inspect the general condition of the individual's skin, identifying risk factors, using safe handling techniques when assisting the individual to move during the assessment
15. inspect specific areas of skin for pressure or risk of pressure and identify risk
16. agree, in consultation with others, how often the risk assessment should be reviewed and record the frequency of assessment in the care plan and other relevant records
17. undertake the review as necessary using the criteria involved in the initial assessment if appropriate
18. identify when the current assessment tool, or frequency of review are no longer appropriate due to changes in the individual's condition or environment
19. complete and store all relevant documentation in accordance with organisational requirements

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1. the current legislation, guidelines, policies, procedures and protocols which are relevant to your work practice and to which you must adhere
2. the scope and limitations of your own competence, responsibilities and accountability as it applies to your job role
3. how to access and interpret all relevant work instructions and information
4. specific procedures for reporting issues which are beyond your competence, responsibilities and accountability
5. the duty to report any acts or omissions that could be unsafe/detrimental to you or others
6. the hazards and risks which may arise during the execution of your work role and how you can minimise these
7. how to adapt communication styles in ways which are appropriate to the needs of the individual 
8. the correct use of any equipment and PPE to protect the health and safety of you and others
9. evidence-based practice and its role in improving care
10. the principles, practice and procedures associated with informed consent
11. the needs of individuals including issues relating to dignity, confidentiality, and privacy
12. organisational management structures, roles, and responsibilities
13. the importance of applying standard precautions to undertaking the assessment of skin breakdown and the potential consequences of poor practice
14. relevant research that has been undertaken in respect of risk assessment for pressure area care
15. how you might involve the individual
16. the risk assessment in relation to the holistic care of individuals
17. what you will look for when you assess the skin
18. when initial assessment should take place and why
19. the frequency of review and re-assessment
20. the degree of help needed by the individual
21. the anatomy and physiology of the healthy skin
22. the changes that occur when damage caused by pressure develops
23. what is meant by "shearing forces"
24. the pre-disposing factors to pressure sore development
25. the sites where pressure damage may occur
26. the assessment tools available for use in the assessment of risk of pressure sore formation
27. safe handling techniques
28. the importance of sharing your findings with other care staff and the individual concerned
29. how to complete and safely store all relevant documentation in accordance with organisational requirements

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3

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2026

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Current

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Original

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Skills for Health

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SFHCHS4

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Health and Social Care, Health and Social Services Officers, Health Associate Professionals, Health Professionals, Health, Public Services and Care, Healthcare and Related Personal Services

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2259

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Tissue, viability, risk, assessment

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