Assess the Level of Practice regarding Prevention of Pressure Ulcer in bedridden patients among Nurses
1Professor, Department of Child Health Nursing, St. Philomena’s College of Nursing, Bangalore.
24th Year B.Sc. Nursing Students, St. Philomena’s College of Nursing, Bangalore.
*Corresponding Author Email: jubykuriakose129@gmail.com
Background: Pressure ulcers are the common conditions among patients hospitalized in acute and chronic care facilities and impose significant burden on patients, their relatives and caregivers. Now days, pressure ulcers are recognized worldwide as one of the five most common causes of harm to patients and preventable patient safety problem. It is also increasingly described as an indicator of the quality of care provided by health care organization. However, pressure ulcers are largely preventable. All patients who are identified as being at risk should have a management plan to prevent development of pressure ulcer, optimize healing, and prevent complications of existing pressure ulcer. Objectives: 1. To assess the level of practice regarding prevention of pressure ulcer in bedridden patients among nurses. 2. To determine the association between pre-test practice scores of nurses regarding prevention of pressure ulcer in bedridden patients with selected sample characteristics. Methodology: The research design used for this study was non – experimental descriptive design. The study was conducted at a tertiary hospital in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. Population comprises of nurses (staff nurses and student nurses) working in a selected hospital. The sample size selected for this study consists of 60 nurses (staff nurses -24 and student nurses -36) who were working in medical, surgical wards and Intensive Care Units (ICUs). Nurses providing care to the patients who are bed ridden for more than 48 hours were included in the study. Non – probability purposive sampling technique was used to select the samples. The tool used in this study was socio-demographic profile of nurses (separate tool for staff nurses and student nurses) and observational checklist to assess the practice. Result: The overall practice scores of the 60 nurses revealed that 40(66.67%) had good practice, whereas 20(33.33%) samples had average practice and none of them had poor practice. Among of 24 staff nurses; 20(83.33%) had good practice, whereas 4(16.67%) had average practice and none of them had poor practice. Out of 36 student nurses; 20(55.56%) had good practice, whereas 16(44.44%) samples had average practice and none of them had poor practice. It was found that among socio-demographic variables none had association with the practice of staff nurses and student nurses too. Conclusion: The study concluded that continuing education programmes are needed to improve the practices of nurses. Nurses must be motivated to provide back care and position change every second hourly in bedridden patients.
KEYWORDS: Pressure ulcers, Bedridden patients, Intensive Care Units (ICUs), Nurses.
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Pressure ulcer is defined by the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP) and European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (EPUAP) as “localized injury to the skin and/or underlying tissue usually over a bony prominence as a result of pressure, or pressure in combination with shear and/or friction.”1 An Average of approximately 50% of the hospitalized individuals has mobility impairment. An immobilized individual is at a greater risk of developing Pressure sore.2 Immobilization and inactivity are frequently present in patient with involvement of musculoskeletal and neurological systems and also among critically ill patients.3 Prolonged bed rest and immobilization inevitably lead to complications such as deep vein thrombosis, contracture, pulmonary embolism, pneumonia, pressure ulcer, calculi, urinary tract infection, osteoporosis, constipation, muscle atrophy, depression and psychosis.4 Pressure of 200 mm hg for 16 hours or 600 mm hg for 11 hours is required before bed sore to occur. The continuous pressure directly affects tissue perfusion which leads to pressure ulcer.5
Every year the health system spends hundreds of thousands of dollars treating pressure ulcers that can be prevented with a little basic quality nursing care.6 Younger individuals who develop pressure ulcers are males, compared to the increase in female gender in the elderly age group. More than 1% of the total health budget is spent on treatment of pressure ulcers. Prevalence rates of pressure ulcers are 4.7–32.1% in hospital and 8.5–22% in nursing home settings. Studies show that in Indian setting, the prevalence rate reported is 4.94%. During the first two weeks of admission alone, hospital acquired pressure ulcers occur in 9% of hospitalised patients. An average length of extended hospital stay for treatment of pressure ulcer is 13days.7
The presence or absence of pressure ulcers has been generally regarded as a performance measure of quality nursing care and overall patient health. On average, 60,000 people die each year worldwide due to pressure ulcer related causes. The prevalence of pressure ulcers in European hospitals ranges from 1% to 11% in medical wards and 4.7% to 66% in surgical wards. A study conducted in the United States demonstrated that pressure ulcers can be avoided by applying simple interventions like using risk factor assessment scales and regular turning of the patient by the nurses or by the nurse instructing a care taker.8
Poor knowledge and practice of nurses have its own significant contribution for the higher prevalence of pressure ulcers. Nurses and nursing care interventions play an important role in pressure injury prevention across healthcare settings. However, pressure ulcers are largely preventable. All patients who are identified as being at risk should have a management plan to prevent development of pressure ulcer, optimize healing, and prevent complications of existing pressure ulcer.9
Pressure ulcers are the common conditions among patients hospitalized in acute and chronic care facilities and impose significant burden on patients, their relatives and caregivers.10 Now days, pressure ulcers are recognized worldwide as one of the five most common causes of harm to patients and preventable patient safety problem. It is also increasingly described as an indicator of the quality of care provided by health care organizations. It has been estimated that the cost of treating pressure ulcer is 2.5 times higher than the cost of preventing. In USA, pressure ulcers remain a major health problem affecting approximately 3 million adults. A systematic review of 31 studies found that pressure ulcers significantly limit many aspects of an individual’s well-being, including general health and physical, social, financial and psychological quality of life. So, the burden of pressure ulcers goes beyond increasing health care costs to loss of life.11
Studies around the world have reported large differences in pressure ulcer prevalence rates, varying from 4.7% to 22.9% in hospitals and 7.7% to 83.6% in nursing homes12. The prevalence of worldwide pressure ulcers in the ICU remain high and are documented between 3% and 50%.13
Incidence rates of as low as 0.4% to as high as 38% have been reported in the inpatient department while prevalence has been reported as 3.5% to 69%. In long term care facilities, the reported incidence is between 2.2% to 23.9% while in home care setting the incidence varies from 0 to 17%.14
Education and implementation of appropriate skin care products and procedures like back care and pressure ulcer prevention protocols may reduce the incidence of hospital acquired pressure ulcer. Educating the care givers of chronically bedridden patient regarding the various aspects of health care helps in improving recovery and it is significant.15 Awareness, Exercises, scrupulous nursing care and early rehabilitation, interventions can prevent or minimize most of these complications without pacing the patients in jeopardy.16
All staff nurses working in hospitals and health centres should have access to qualitative and up-to-date information on best practices. Timely education to staff nurses should be facilitated to prevent pressure ulcer. Researchers have found that pressure ulcers are more in the bed ridden patients in many hospitals. So in order to prevent occurrence of pressure ulcer among bed ridden patients in our hospital as well as to know the level of preventive practices among staff nurses we are conducting research study.
A study to assess the level of practice regarding prevention of pressure ulcer in bedridden patients among nurses of a selected hospital, Bangalore.
1. To assess the level of practice regarding prevention of pressure ulcer in bedridden patients among nurses.
2. To determine the association between pre-test practice scores of nurses regarding prevention of pressure ulcer in bedridden patients with selected sample characteristics.
· H1: There will be a statically significant association between pre-test practice scores of nurses regarding prevention of pressure ulcer in bedridden patients with selected sample characteristics at p<0.05 level.
Research approach: Descriptive survey approach was adopted for this study.
Research design: Non-Experimental Descriptive survey design.
Setting: For this study selected tertiary hospital in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
Population: Nurses (staff nurses and student nurses) Sampling Technique: Non- probability purposive sampling.
Sample Size: 60 nurses (Staff nurses -24 and student nurses -36).
Nurses who were working in medical, surgical wards and ICUs and those providing care to the patients who were bed ridden for more than 48 hours were included in the study.
Section I: Socio-demographic variables for staff nurse consist of age, gender, educational qualification and years of work experience. For student nurse consist of age, gender and course and year of study.
Section II: Observational checklist to assess the practice regarding prevention of pressure ulcer in bed ridden patients among nurses. It consists of 30 “yes” or “no” items. Each “yes” item carried ‛one mark’. The maximum score was 30. The score interpretation was done as; good practice ≥75% (23-30 marks), average practice 51-74% (16-22 marks) and poor practice ≤50% (≤ 15 marks).
Written permission to conduct study was obtained from authorities of hospital and college of nursing. Samples were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The data was collected during the months of July-August 2017. Each sample was observed once to assess the practice. After the completion of data collection, samples were informed regarding the study
and demographic profile of nurses were obtained. Collected data was coded, tabulated and analysed by descriptive (frequency, percentage, range, mean, median and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (chi- square test).
Section I: Related to socio- demographic variables of samples
Table No.1: Distribution of samples according to socio- demographic variables of the staff nurses (n = 24)
|
Sample Characteristics |
Frequency (f) |
Percentage (%) |
|
Age in years 20-25YRS |
15 |
62.5 |
|
26-30YRS |
8 |
33.33 |
|
31-35YRS |
1 |
4.17 |
|
Gender |
|
|
|
Male |
5 |
20.83 |
|
Female |
19 |
79.17 |
|
Educational qualifiation |
|
|
|
GNM |
12 |
50 |
|
B. Sc. Nursing |
12 |
50 |
|
Years of work experience |
|
|
|
<1YR |
9 |
37.5 |
|
1-2YRS |
6 |
25 |
|
>2YRS |
9 |
37.5 |
The data represented in the above table shows that among 24 staff nurses majority 15(62.5%) were in the age group of 20-25 years. With regard to gender, 19(79.17%) samples were females. Regarding educational qualification, 12(50%) staff nurses had completed GNM and remaining 12(50%) had finished B.Sc. nursing. With regard to years of work experience, 9(37.5%) samples each had experience of <1 year and also >2years.
Table No.2: Distribution of samples according to socio- demographic variables of the student nurses(n=36)
|
Sample Characteristics |
Frequency(f) |
Percentage (%) |
|
Age in years 17-18YRS |
12 |
33.33 |
|
19-20YRS |
5 |
13.89 |
|
21-22YRS |
19 |
52.78 |
|
Gender |
|
|
|
Male |
0 |
0 |
|
Female |
36 |
100 |
|
Course and year of study |
|
|
|
1 YEAR BSC |
9 |
25 |
|
11 YEAR BSC |
10 |
27.78 |
|
111 YEAR BSC |
13 |
36.11 |
|
1V YEAR BSC |
4 |
11.11 |
The data represented in the above table shows that out of 36 student nurses, majority 19(52.78%) samples were in the age group of 21-22 years. With regard to gender, all 36(100%) samples were females. With regard to course and year of study, 13(36.11%) samples were studying 3rd year B.Sc. nursing.
Table No.3: Assessment of the level of practice of nurses regarding prevention of pressure ulcer in bed ridden patients (n=60)
|
Practice level |
Category |
Respondents |
|
|
Frequency (f) |
Percentage (%) |
||
|
GOOD |
≥75% |
40 |
66.67% |
|
AVERAGE |
51-74% |
20 |
33.33% |
|
POOR |
≤50% |
- |
- |
|
TOTAL |
|
60 |
100% |
The data represented in the above table shows that out of 60 nurses; 40(66.67%) had good practice, whereas 20 (33.33%) samples had average practice and none of them had poor practice.
Table No.4: Frequency and percentage distribution of staff nurses according to level of practice regarding prevention of pressure ulcer in bed ridden patients (n=24)
|
Practice level |
Category |
Respondents |
|
|
Frequency |
Percentage |
||
|
GOOD |
≥75% |
20 |
83.33% |
|
AVERAGE |
51-74% |
4 |
16.67% |
|
POOR |
≤50% |
- |
- |
|
TOTAL |
|
24 |
100% |
The data represented in the above table shows that that out of 24 staff nurses; 20(83.33%) had good practice, whereas 4(16.67%) had average practice and none of them had poor practice.
TableNo.5: Frequency and percentage distribution of student nurses according to level of practice regarding prevention of pressure ulcer in bed ridden patients (n=36)
|
Practice level |
Category |
Respondents |
|
|
frequency |
percentage |
||
|
GOOD |
≥75% |
20 |
55.56% |
|
AVERAGE |
51-74 |
16 |
44.44% |
|
POOR |
≤50% |
- |
- |
|
TOTAL |
|
36 |
100% |
The data represented in the above table shows that out of out of 36 student nurses; 20(55.56%) had good practice, whereas 16(44.44%) samples had average practice and none of them had poor practice.
Among 60 nurses, the range of practice score was 8, mean 23.4, median 23.5 and standard deviation score was 1.933
Chi square value was calculated to find out the association between the practice scores of the staff nurses (n=24) with socio - demographic variables. The findings revealed that there was no significant association between the practice scores of staff nurses regarding prevention of pressure ulcer in bed ridden patients with selected socio- demographic variables i.e. age - χ2 value of 0.483 (df- 1, chi square value-3.84, p>0.05), gender-χ2 value of 0.386 (df- 1, chi square value-3.84 , p>0.05) educational qualification- χ2 value of 3.513 (df- 1, chi square value- 3.84, p>0.05) and years of work experience - χ2 value of 0.533 (df- 1, chi square value- 3.84, p>0.05) . Hence, it was concluded that among socio-demographic variables none had association with the practice of staff nurses.
Chi square value was calculated to find out the association between the practice scores of the student nurses (n=36) with socio - demographic variables. The findings revealed that there was no significant association between the practice scores of staff nurses regarding prevention of pressure ulcer in bed ridden patients with selected socio- demographic variables i.e. age - χ2 value of 1.05 (df- 1, chi square value-3.84, p>0.05), course and year of study - χ2 value of 1.896 (df- 3, chi square value- 7.82, p>0.05). With regard to gender, as all the 30 samples were females, so association was not calculated. Hence, it was concluded that among socio-demographic variables none had association with the practice of student nurses.
The overall practice scores of the 60 nurses revealed that 40(66.67%) had good practice, whereas 20 (33.33%) samples had average practice and none of them had poor practice. Among of 24 staff nurses; 20(83.33%) had good practice, whereas 4(16.67%) had average practice and none of them had poor practice. Out of 36 student nurses; 20(55.56%) had good practice, whereas 16(44.44%) samples had average practice and none of them had poor practice. It was found that among socio- demographic variables none had association with the practice of nurses (staff nurses and student nurses) too.
The nursing implications are discussed under nursing practice, nursing education, nursing administration and nursing research.
· As this study helps to assess the level of practice regarding prevention of pressure ulcer in bedridden patients among nurses, the findings helps to monitor performances of nurses.
· It provides good opportunity to train them to be more knowledgeable and skilful which indirectly reduces the risk of pressure ulcer occurrences in bedridden patients.
· Ward incharge or supervisor can motivate the nurses to use Braden scale or any other appropriate tool as per hospital practice on regular basis as practical utilization might be lacking.
· The nurses can teach the non-ambulatory patient’s caregiver about the back care and position change.
· Additionally, protocols to guide pressure ulcer care need to be developed and disseminated for use during care.
Although this topic is already included in the curriculum, student nurses must be motivated, periodically trained and reinforced to deliver appropriate nursing care to prevent occurrences of pressure ulcer in bedridden patients. Nurses must be instructed to practice at the bedside exactly as what is taught to them.
· The nurse administrator has a significant role in updating the knowledge and skills of nurses regarding the prevention of pressure ulcer through in- service programs.
· The findings of the study could be made useful by health care personnel holding administrative position to formulate policies and protocol or modify the existing ones.
· Quality control nurse can frequently check the utilization of Braden scale or any other tool as per hospital practice by the nurses to reduce the incidence of pressure ulcer occurrences.
· There is need to carry out research based on the available risk assessment tools so as to identify individuals prone to pressure ulcers so that prevention and management is predictable.
· More researchers could be carried out in this area on a larger scale which provides more scientific data which could enhance the health care services rendered to bedridden patients.
· Nurses need to be encouraged to follow evidence- based practice rather than intuitive nursing decisions.
· An experimental research can be conducted among nurses to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice regarding prevention of pressure ulcer in bedridden patients among nurses of a selected hospital.
From the findings of the study, it was concluded that majority of the nurses had good practice and none of them had poor practice. Hospitals also need to devote more resources to prevent and manage pressure ulcers. Professionals should also meet their responsibility to provide perennial education to staffs and students regarding pressure ulcers and its prevention in bedridden patients. Nurses must be motivated to provide back care and position change every second hourly in bedridden patients.
Our special thanks go to the management of St.
Philomena’s college and hospital for permitting us to conduct this study. We are thankful to all the participants of the study.
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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Received on 03.04.2021 Modified on 06.05.2021
Accepted on 29.05.2021 ©A&V Publications All right reserved
Asian J. Nursing Education and Research. 2021; 11(4):475-480.
DOI: 10.52711/2349-2996.2021.00114