Pressure Ulcer Prevention (pressure + ulcer_prevention)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Pressure ulcer prevention in intensive care patients: guidelines and practice

JOURNAL OF EVALUATION IN CLINICAL PRACTICE, Issue 2 2009
Eman S. M. Shahin BSc MSc RN PhD
Abstract Background, Pressure ulcers are a potential problem in intensive care patients, and their prevention is a major issue in nursing care. This study aims to assess the allocation of preventive measures for patients at risk for pressure ulcers in intensive care and the evidence of applied pressure ulcer preventive measures in intensive care settings in respect to the European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (EPUAP) and Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR) guidelines for pressure ulcer prevention. Design, The design of this study was a cross-sectional study (point prevalence). Setting, The study setting was intensive care units. The sample consisted of 169 patients , 60 patients from surgical wards, 59 from interdisciplinary wards and 50 from medical intensive care wards. Results, The study results revealed that pressure reducing devices like mattresses (alternating pressure air, low air loss and foam) are applied for 58 (36.5%) patients, and all of these patients are at risk for pressure ulcer development. Most patients receive more than one nursing intervention, especially patients at risk. Nursing interventions applied are skin inspection, massage with moisture cream, nutrition and mobility (81.8%, 80.5%, 68.6% and 56.6%) respectively. Moreover, all applied pressure ulcer preventive measures in this study are in line with the guidelines of the EPUAP and AHCPR except massage which is applied to 8.8% of all patients. Conclusions, The use of pressure reducing devices and nursing interventions in intensive care patients are in line with international pressure ulcer guidelines. Only massage, which is also being used, should be avoided according to the recommendation of national and international guidelines. [source]


Continuous monitoring of interface pressure distribution in intensive care patients for pressure ulcer prevention

JOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, Issue 4 2009
Kozue Sakai
Abstract Title.,Continuous monitoring of interface pressure distribution in intensive care patients for pressure ulcer prevention. Aim., This paper is a report of a study conducted to examine whether continuous interface pressure monitoring of postoperative patients in an intensive care unit is feasible in clinical practice. Background., The interface pressure between skin and surfaces is generally evaluated for pressure ulcer prevention. However, the intensity and duration of interface pressure necessary for pressure ulcer development remains unclear because the conventional interface pressure sensors are unsuitable for continuous monitoring in clinical settings. Methods., A total of 30 postoperative patients in an intensive care unit participated in this study in 2006,2007. A sensor was built into a thermoelastic polymer mattress. The whole-body interface pressure was recorded for up to 48 hours. Pressure ulcer development was observed during the morning bed-bath. For analysis, the intensity and duration of the maximal interface pressure was evaluated. Findings., The mean age of the study group was 62·0 ± 15·4 years. Two participants developed stage I pressure ulcer and blanchable redness at the sacrum. The longest duration of pressures greater than 100 mmHg were 487·0, 273·5 and 275·7 minutes in the pressure ulcer, blanchable redness and no redness groups respectively. Conclusion., Continuous monitoring of the intensity and duration of whole-body interface pressure using the KINOTEX sensor is feasible in intensive care patients. [source]


Risk assessment scales for pressure ulcer prevention: a systematic review

JOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, Issue 1 2006
Pedro L. Pancorbo-Hidalgo PhD RN
Aim., This paper reports a systematic review conducted to determine the effectiveness of the use of risk assessment scales for pressure ulcer prevention in clinical practice, degree of validation of risk assessment scales, and effectiveness of risk assessment scales as indicators of risk of developing a pressure ulcer. Background., Pressure ulcers are an important health problem. The best strategy to avoid them is prevention. There are several risk assessment scales for pressure ulcer prevention which complement nurses' clinical judgement. However, some of these have not undergone proper validation. Method., A systematic bibliographical review was conducted, based on a search of 14 databases in four languages using the keywords pressure ulcer or pressure sore or decubitus ulcer and risk assessment. Reports of clinical trials or prospective studies of validation were included in the review. Findings., Thirty-three studies were included in the review, three on clinical effectiveness and the rest on scale validation. There is no decrease in pressure ulcer incidence was found which might be attributed to use of an assessment scale. However, the use of scales increases the intensity and effectiveness of prevention interventions. The Braden Scale shows optimal validation and the best sensitivity/specificity balance (57·1%/67·5%, respectively); its score is a good pressure ulcer risk predictor (odds ratio = 4·08, CI 95% = 2·56,6·48). The Norton Scale has reasonable scores for sensitivity (46·8%), specificity (61·8%) and risk prediction (OR = 2·16, CI 95% = 1·03,4·54). The Waterlow Scale offers a high sensitivity score (82·4%), but low specificity (27·4%); with a good risk prediction score (OR = 2·05, CI 95% = 1·11,3·76). Nurses' clinical judgement (only considered in three studies) gives moderate scores for sensitivity (50·6%) and specificity (60·1%), but is not a good pressure ulcer risk predictor (OR = 1·69, CI 95% = 0·76,3·75). Conclusion., There is no evidence that the use of risk assessment scales decreases pressure ulcer incidence. The Braden Scale offers the best balance between sensitivity and specificity and the best risk estimate. Both the Braden and Norton Scales are more accurate than nurses' clinical judgement in predicting pressure ulcer risk. [source]


Pressure Ulcers in Elderly Patients with Hip Fracture Across the Continuum of Care

JOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 5 2009
Mona Baumgarten PhD
OBJECTIVES: To identify care settings associated with greater pressure ulcer risk in elderly patients with hip fracture in the postfracture period. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Nine hospitals that participate in the Baltimore Hip Studies network and 105 postacute facilities to which patients from these hospitals were discharged. PARTICIPANTS: Hip fracture patients aged 65 and older who underwent surgery for hip fracture. MEASUREMENTS: A full-body skin examination was conducted at baseline (as soon as possible after hospital admission) and repeated on alternating days for 21 days. Patients were deemed to have an acquired pressure ulcer (APU) if they developed one or more new stage 2 or higher pressure ulcers after hospital admission. RESULTS: In 658 study participants, the APU cumulative incidence at 32 days after initial hospital admission was 36.1% (standard error 2.5%). The adjusted APU incidence rate was highest during the initial acute hospital stay (relative risk (RR)=2.2, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.3,3.7) and during re-admission to the acute hospital (RR=2.2, 95% CI=1.1,4.2). The relative risks in rehabilitation and nursing home settings were 1.4 (95% CI=0.8,2.3) and 1.3 (95% CI=0.8,2.1), respectively. CONCLUSION: Approximately one-third of hip fracture patients developed an APU during the study period. The rate was highest in the acute setting, a finding that is significant in light of Medicare's policy of not reimbursing hospitals for the treatment of hospital-APUs. Hip fracture patients constitute an important group to target for pressure ulcer prevention in hospitals. [source]


Differences in prevalence of pressure ulcers between the Netherlands and Germany , associations between risk, prevention and occurrence of pressure ulcers in hospitals and nursing homes

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 9 2008
Antje Tannen MA
Aim., This study compares pressure ulcer prevalence and prevention activities in nursing homes and hospitals within two European countries. Background., Over three years stable differences have been found between the Netherlands (NL) and Germany (GER) with higher pressure ulcer rates in the NL. As previous analyses have shown, the differences cannot be entirely explained by differences in the population's vulnerability to pressure ulcers because they still remain after risk adjustment. Therefore, the differences in prevalence must be caused by other factors. The purpose of this study is to analyse if any potential differences in preventive activities can account for the varying occurrence of pressure ulcers. Method., In both countries, nation-wide surveys were conducted annually using the same standardised questionnaires. Trained nurses examined all consenting patients of the voluntarily participating facilities. This examination included a skin assessment of the entire body. Data regarding risk factors, prevention and details about wounds were then collected. Results., In-patients of 29 German (n = 2531) and 71 Dutch (n = 10 098) nursing homes and 39 German (n = 8515) and 60 Dutch (n = 10 237) hospitals were investigated. The use of pressure-reducing devices was more common in the NL than in GER, but all other interventions were more frequently provided to German risk patients than to their Dutch counterparts. The pressure ulcer prevalence was significantly higher in the Dutch sample. After adjusting for gender, age, Braden Score and prevention, the probability of having a pressure ulcer was 8·1 times higher for Dutch nursing home residents than for German residents. Conclusion., Some of the variance in pressure ulcer prevalence between the two countries can be explained by varying pressure ulcer prevention. However, some remarkable differences still remain unexplained. Relevance to clinical practice., The extent of pressure ulcer prevention, especially repositioning and nutrition intervention provided to patients at risk, is not in accordance with international guidelines. [source]


Non-blanchable erythema as an indicator for the need for pressure ulcer prevention: a randomized-controlled trial

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 2 2007
Katrien Vanderwee MA
Aims and objectives., To evaluate whether postponing preventive measures until non-blanchable erythema appears will actually lead to an increase in incidence of pressure ulcers (grades 2,4) when compared with the standard risk assessment method. Background., To distinguish patients at risk for pressure ulcers from those not at risk, risk assessment scales are recommended. These scales have limited predictive validity. The prevention of further deterioration of non-blanchable erythema (grade 1 pressure ulcer) instead of the standard way of assigning prevention could be a possible new approach. Design., Randomized-controlled trial. Methods., Patients admitted to surgical, internal or geriatric wards (n = 1617) were included. They were randomly assigned to an experimental and a control group. In the experimental group (n = 826), prevention was started when non-blanchable erythema appeared, in the control group (n = 791) when the Braden score was <17 or when non-blanchable erythema appeared. In both groups, patients received identical prevention, either by using a polyethylene,urethane mattress in combination with turning every four hours or by using an alternating pressure air mattress. Pressure points were observed daily and classified according to the four grades of the European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel. The Braden scale was scored every three days. Results., In the experimental group, 16% of patients received preventive measures, in the control group 32%. The pressure ulcer incidence (grades 2,4) was not significantly different between the experimental (6·8%) and control group (6·7%). Conclusion., Significantly fewer patients need preventive measures when prevention is postponed until non-blanchable erythema appears and those patients did not develop more pressure ulcers than patients who received prevention based on the standard risk assessment method. Relevance to clinical practice., Using the appearance of non-blanchable erythema to allocate preventive measures leads to a considerable reduction of patients in need of prevention without resulting in an increase in pressure ulcers. [source]


Pressure ulcer prevention in intensive care patients: guidelines and practice

JOURNAL OF EVALUATION IN CLINICAL PRACTICE, Issue 2 2009
Eman S. M. Shahin BSc MSc RN PhD
Abstract Background, Pressure ulcers are a potential problem in intensive care patients, and their prevention is a major issue in nursing care. This study aims to assess the allocation of preventive measures for patients at risk for pressure ulcers in intensive care and the evidence of applied pressure ulcer preventive measures in intensive care settings in respect to the European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (EPUAP) and Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR) guidelines for pressure ulcer prevention. Design, The design of this study was a cross-sectional study (point prevalence). Setting, The study setting was intensive care units. The sample consisted of 169 patients , 60 patients from surgical wards, 59 from interdisciplinary wards and 50 from medical intensive care wards. Results, The study results revealed that pressure reducing devices like mattresses (alternating pressure air, low air loss and foam) are applied for 58 (36.5%) patients, and all of these patients are at risk for pressure ulcer development. Most patients receive more than one nursing intervention, especially patients at risk. Nursing interventions applied are skin inspection, massage with moisture cream, nutrition and mobility (81.8%, 80.5%, 68.6% and 56.6%) respectively. Moreover, all applied pressure ulcer preventive measures in this study are in line with the guidelines of the EPUAP and AHCPR except massage which is applied to 8.8% of all patients. Conclusions, The use of pressure reducing devices and nursing interventions in intensive care patients are in line with international pressure ulcer guidelines. Only massage, which is also being used, should be avoided according to the recommendation of national and international guidelines. [source]