Pressure Ulcer Snapshot Study

However, only 10% of nurses actually complete accurate inspections of the skin during their initial physical assessments of the patients (Lahmann et al., 2010). As a result, patients who are at risk of developing pressure ulcers are often overlooked by nursing staff.

3.2 Ensure the agreed care plan has been checked prior to undertaking the pressure area care.

Although the situation was quite challenging, it provided me with some useful experiences for the future practice. I understand that all institutions should have a policy for documenting the assessment of patients, including pressure ulcers (Morison 2001). I have come to be familiar with the homes assessment policy using the Sterling Pressure Sore Severity Scale and most importantly I have learned that by using a universal assessment tool it supports a systemic and consistent approach to pressure ulcer evaluation. This therefore supporting continuity of care.

Braden scale is a tool used to predict patient’s risk for pressure ulcer. However, when this tool is not used to its fullest potential, it does not help to decrease the patient’s risk of developing pressure ulcers. Many over look a Braden score of sixteen is being high and not at risk but, scores under eighteen are considered to at risk for pressure ulcer development. Nursing interventions need to be in place before a new development of pressure ulcers. Nurses need to use these provided tools and carry out appropriate nursing interventions according to the results. When a nursing care is not a written requirement, many nurses overlook the benefits of the tool and neglect to provide the best nursing care.

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).

ulcer can take many weeks and be very costly. The development of this in the hospital is uncalled for and does not

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 can be collected on multiple ways, from the point of medical care and patient satisfaction. The scenario points to pressure ulcers and the use of restraints, in both situations I believe that there was a fundamental lack of knowledge by the staff and disconnect by management.

What influences the impact of pressure ulcers on health-related quality of life? A qualitative patient-focused exploration of contributory factors (Gorecki, Nixon, Madill, Firth and Brown, 2012)

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.

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

Pressure ulcer is an adverse outcome in the clinical care setting that also linked to poor quality of nursing care. Though pressure should never happen in a professional care setting, it is still prevalent throughout the world’s medical settings. This article looks at many other previous studies from 1992 to present to compare and find the underlying issues that may contribute to pressure ulcer. A closer look at the nurse’s knowledge versus actual decision will be observe, because it is the key factor in pressure ulcer prevention.

Medicare, in most cases, will decline reimbursement any pressure ulcers unless they are present on admission (Wilkinson & Treas, 2011). The key for this matter is mainly the accuracy of documentation of patient’s admission assessment.

It is a useful way to identify those patients who are at high risk for pressure injuries.23Based on the risk assessment score, a plan is then established to suit the patients’ individual care needs. For example, patients who score a mild risk, may require frequent turning schedules, maximal remobilization, a pressure reduction support surface, management of moisture, nutrition, and friction/shear, etc. For those at very high risk, a static air overlay or a low air loss bed may be needed.24 These recommendations as identified by Braden and Bergstrom24 allows for clinicians to limit interventions to those patients who are at risk, to reserve intensive and costly interventions to those who are in most need, as well as address specific problems that contribute to that level of risk. Following the admission assessment, reassessments should be done 48 hours later and at periodic intervals thereafter depending on the rapidity of changes in the patient’s health condition and depending on the health care setting. 23 In a long term care facility for example, 80% of residence who develop pressure injuries do so within 2 weeks of admission, and 96% do so within 3 weeks of admission. Therefore, in this type of setting, an appropriate schedule for a reassessment may be different, i.e every 4 weeks followed by quarterly assessments. 23 In an intensive care unit, reassessments may be