Pressure Ulcer Prevalence In Hospitals

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,

Six 'experience of care' factors were identified as affecting adherence to treatment. Patient perceived quality of care was negatively affected by hospitalization, care inconsistencies, inadequate pain management, uncomfortable pressure-relieving devices, bed-rest for pressure ulcer treatment, and poor interactions with caregiver. Improved patient education concerning treatment and pressure ulcer etiology, and the perception that the caregiver was competent, promoted adherence to treatment.

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

A study conducted over seven years by Amir et al (2011) showed a significant decline of pressure ulcer development after three years of the study. This was partly due to strategies being implemented in regards to repositioning along with adequate nutrition, pressure ulcer prevention information leaflets were given to patients and skin assessments (Amir et al., 2011). It must also be considered that different patients will have different comorbidities and the use of a risk assessment tool is vital to assess and implementing a plan for pressure ulcer prevention according to the patient’s score (Tannen et al., 2010).

Evidence based practice (EBP) gives nurses a method to use critical appraised data and scientific evidence that is proven to confirm the delivery of quality health care to a patient population. Pressure ulcer prevention continues to be a major and growing concern among todays patients and healthcare providers. This problem is a concern because prevention of pressure ulcers can be accomplished through good skincare techniques and increased education of nurses. The field of nursing along with the healthcare industry can benefit from simply decreased the

The primary goals for conducting nursing research are to generate new knowledge to promote positive outcomes for patients, enhance quality and cost-effectiveness of care, improve the healthcare delivery system, and validate the credibility of the nursing profession through evidence-based practice (Schmidt & Brown, 2012). The purpose of this paper is to explore the practice-related problem of pressure ulcers and the importance of the problem in the nursing profession.

Data should be collected on pressure ulcers, this is easily provided by conducting audits and creating a Skin Champion position, as is the case in my hospital, that is filled by a nurse that creates educational documents, conducts audits on the use of Braden scale and following up with Wound Care staff. Changes in healthcare, as in any business, usually starts when there is a direct impact on financial reimbursement, and the formation of new pressure ulcers on inpatient care places the cost on the facility and not Medicare or Medicaid (Medscape, 2015). The audits should provide management with enough data to track ulcer formation, this will drive education, change in nursing attitude towards use of restraints, improve patient satisfaction and improve reimbursements to the facility.

Most patients who end up in intensive care unit are most of the time so unstable that any little movement will put them at risk for further complications which can lead to death. However, finding a way to prevent pressure ulcer in the most critical ills patients in the healthcare system is very crucial.

This report is presented as coordinated multidisciplinary approach. Persons involved would be representatives from board of directors, Materials Management, Physician and a Quality and Improvement team. Purpose of the presentation is to implement use of Mepilex Border Dressing throughout the hospital in order to prevent hospital acquired pressure ulcers.

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

Studies have pointed out that nurses possess a significant role and extensive knowledge in pressure ulcer prevention. Instructive programs in the hospitals give great learning to nurses about the preventive and treatment techniques for

Pressure Ulcers affects patients the older patients due to the problem of immobility. A pressure

I will methodically analyze all parts of the study to assess the validity of the article, by contrasting and comparing the information provided, with previous literature. I will try to make sure that recommendations provided by the authors are congruous with nursing practice and beneficial to the advancement of it. I will as much as possible provide in depth detail of previous studies on the same topic that either support or contradict the analysis provided by this study and its authors.

Critically ill patients are at increased risk for pressure ulcers. Hospital -acquired Pressure ulcers are serious clinical complications and that can lead to increased length of stay, pain, infection and potentially death. Nurses have the primary role in the pressure ulcer prevention. The study assessed nurses’ perceptions of the usefulness and impact of a pressure ulcer prevention care bundle intervention on clinical practice. So it is imperative to understanding nurses’ assessments of interventions when interpreting results and translating evidence into practice.

This study evaluates the decision making of nurses in relation the prevention and management of pressure ulcers. There are many assessment tools create to help nurses assess the level of risk a patient have, and from there, they can create a plan of care in pressure ulcer prevention.