Nurses' knowledge and Practice Regarding Management and Prevention of Pressure Ulcer among Critically Ill Patients

M. Elmansy, Fatma; A. Ahmed, Ola; M. El-Sayed, Nadia; Abd El-Rahman, Mohamed

doi:10.21608/ejhc.2015.215914

Nurses' knowledge and Practice Regarding Management and Prevention of Pressure Ulcer among Critically Ill Patients

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Demonstrator at Medical Surgical Nursing department, Faculty of Nursing, Suez Canal University, Egypt.

² Professor at Medical Surgical Nursing department, Faculty of Nursing, Ain Shams University, Egypt.

³ Lecturer at Nursing Administration department, Faculty of Nursing, Suez Canal University, Egypt.

⁴ Lecturer at anesthesiology department, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Egypt

10.21608/ejhc.2015.215914

Abstract

A pressure ulcer is a localized injury to the skin or underlying tissue, as a result of pressure, and an
external surface for a prolonged period of time. Pressure ulcer prevention and management is the
responsibility of all health care professionals who involve in patient care to prevent slow
progression of complications. The aim: The study was aimed to assess nurses' knowledge and
practice regarding management and prevention of pressure ulcer among critically ill patients.
Methodology: Setting: This study was conducted in the Intensive Care Unit at Suez Canal
University Hospitals and Ismailia General Hospital; A descriptive correlational research design was
used to conduct this study. Subject: All available nurses during conducting the current were
recruited (35 females & 15 males). Tools: 1) An interview questionnaire sheet to assess nurses'
knowledge regarding prevention and management of pressure ulcer. 2) Observational check lists to
assess nurses' practice regarding prevention and management of pressure ulcer. Result: The
findings showed that studied nurses had unsatisfactory knowledge and practice. There was positive
significant correlation between nurses' knowledge and practice regarding prevention and
management of pressure ulcer (r=0.302, p=0.033). Conclusion: All the studied nurses had unsatisfied
level of knowledge and practice about pressure ulcer prevention and management. Recommendation:
Periodical updating for knowledge and practice concerning with pressure ulcer prevention and
management through sharing educational programs. Use risk assessment tool as
Braden scale to
assess patient risk for pressure ulcer development.

Keywords