Basic Nursing Care in Pressure Sore Prevention Essay

Quality improvement issues in healthcare focus on the care that patients receive and the outcomes that patients experience. Nurses play a major advocacy role for ensuring safe and quality care to all patients. Also, nurses share the responsibility in leading the efforts in improving patient care in all settings (Berwick, 2002). One of the ongoing problems plaguing hospitals and nursing homes is the development of new pressure ulcers in patients after admission. A pressure ulcer can be defined as a localized area of necrotic tissue that is likely to occur after soft tissue is compressed between a bony prominence and a surface for prolonged periods of time (Andrychuk, 1998). According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid,

Nursing interventions play an important part in the reduction of pressure ulcers. A nurse can help to reduce the risk of pressure ulcers by promoting activity, carrying out skin inspections and assessments, and by using pressure relieving devices (Lynn, 2005). Some patients may fear being dropped when moved using equipment (Rogers, 1999), thus it is important for the Nurse to communicate with the patient, this way the Nurse can explain how the equipment works and the patient can express any concerns that they may have. It is important to remember that not all patients like lifting equipment and

Special dressings and bandages can be used to protect and to speed up the healing of pressure sores.

A common health concern seen in the elderly, especially those within institutions, are pressure ulcers. A pressure ulcer is defined as a localized injury to the skin or underlying tissue that occurs when something keeps rubbing or pressing against the skin. Pressure on the skin causes a decrease of blood flow to that area and as a result, an ulcer may form because of the skin dying due to the lack of blood in that region. They generally occur over bony prominences such as, the buttock, elbow, hip, heel, back of the head and ankles. An ulcer has a greater chance of forming if the person uses a wheelchair or stays in bed for a long period of

Fortunately, according to Chan et al., (2008), 95% of pressure ulcers can be prevented and nursing care is believed to be a primary method of preventing pressure ulcer development. Research was conducted on accredited search databases such as CINAHL, Nursing Resource Center and OvidSP on prevention measures for pressure ulcers. A number of credible evidence based research was found that supported the nursing intervention of

education for the staff on what signs to look for concerning pressure ulcers as well as education on the laws and

While nurses encounter patients with pressure ulcers in home care and acute care settings, they are mainly a problem with elderly adults in long term care facilities. This is because of decreased sensory perception, decreased activity and mobility, skin moisture from incontinence, poor nutritional intake, and friction and shear (Stotts and Gunningberg, 2007).

By educating staff on nursing sensitive indicators and the issues that need to be addressed, could advance the quality of patient care throughout the hospital. In this case, educating hospital staff on ways to prevent restraint use and pressure sore prevention, the staff could have possible prevented the use of restraints and the pressure sore. Also, by educating staff on how to use restraints would be

The main priority of the Veterans Affairs system is getting zero pressure ulcers. To achieve this goal, staff must be knowledgeable of the basic principles of skin disease, preventions, and treatments when providing care for the elderly patients. They provide education and training on the current evidenced-base practice on pressure ulcer preventions. The approach that has been effectively used is the care bundle (AHRQ, 2014). We

20). Further, the presence of pressure ulcers places a burden on patients and their family (Grinspun, 2005, p.21). As recommended by Grinspun (2005), pillows and foam wedges to separate prominences of the body and lifting devices have been beneficial to avoid friction (p. 32). Research suggests that the majority of pressure ulcers can be avoided. Although, the population at risk likely suffers from the possible contributors, as stated repositioning at least every 2 hours or sooner was effective (Grinspun, 2005, p. 32). When practicing I will reposition patients at appropriate times to reduce the risk of damage to the skin. Additionally, when moving a patient up in bed, I will request adequate assistance from other nursing staff to use a lifting device. This will help to avoid friction while the patient is being moved, ultimately reducing the development of pressure

The qualitative research article selected for critique is the study by Athlin et al. (2009), with the title of, “Factors of importance to the development of pressure ulcers in the care trajectory: perceptions of hospital and community care nurses”. This study looked at contributing factors promoting the growth or relapse of pressure ulcers, and how the nurses working in hospitals or group care, comprehend them in the care trajectory.

Mr. J.’s daughter noticed a red mark on her father who then reported this to the nursing assistant and her concerns were immediately dismissed. If the nursing assistant was properly trained in the use of restraints and had knowledge of patient outcomes, this patient would not have developed a pressure ulcer. The nursing assistant should have immediately informed the nurse and measurements should have been taken to prevent further breakdown of the patient’s skin which was not done. It is evident in reading this case that Mr. J developed a Stage I pressure ulcer from being retrained in one position with no assessment or release for an undetermined amount of time.

Pressure ulcers are a major health issue that can be essentially preventable. Nurses assess skin integrity and identify pressure ulcers and implement preventative measures in order to treat and avoid prolonged stays in

It is important for nurses to assist in the healing of pressure ulcers. Apart from providing appropriate wound dressing, various nursing interventions are needed such as relieving pressure by providing special pads or air mattresses and turning or repositioning the patient at least every two hours. Arranging pillows under the ankles, back, head and arms, regular cleansing and drying of the skin, and providing good nutrition to support the healing process are also important (Cohen, 2009).

Pressure ulcers have a significant effecr on both patients and healthcare providers. Pressure ulcers also known as pressure sores, are major problems for individuals that are bedridden or for the individuals that have less mobility (Kockrow, 2011). It is most likely to occur in elderly and those with spinal cord injuries which causes less mobility. There are many risk factors that are contributed to pressure ulcer formations well as how they can be prevented. Pressure ulcers consist of various types of stages similarly to wound healing. Wound healing consists of different types of factors and stages. Both pressure ulcers and wound healing have different types of methods of recovering, different types of complications,