Use of a risk-based intervention bundle to prescribe and implement interventions to prevent pressure injury: An observational study

AIM

To explore the relationship between the prescription and implementation of pressure injury preventative interventions following risk assessment combined with a risk-stratified intervention bundle.

DESIGN

Single-centre, cross-sectional, observational, prospective.

METHODS

The charts and bedsides of 341 adult inpatients were examined. Data collection included pressure injury risk level, prescribed preventative interventions and evidence of intervention implementation.

RESULTS

Most patients (68.6%) were at risk of pressure injury, and most interventions were prescribed according to their risk level. However, evidence from direct observation and/or documentation indicated intervention implementation rates were relatively poor. Of nine interventions mandated for all patients, compliance with three patient-/carer-focused interventions was particularly poor, with evidence indicating they had been implemented for 3%-10% of patients. Also, nutritional screening-related interventions were implemented poorly. Clinically indicated implementation of heel-elevation devices and bariatric equipment was low for at-risk patients, and the implementation of interventions for patients with existing pressure injuries was suboptimal. Significant proportions of several interventions that were observed as having been implemented were not documented as such.

CONCLUSION

While most interventions were prescribed according to patient risk level, the overall implementation of interventions was poor. However, the results may in part be due to failure to document interventions as opposed to omitting them.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PATIENT CARE

Documentation of interventions is crucial as it provides evidence of the care provided. An increased focus on documentation of pressure injury preventative interventions is required, with a clear distinction between prescription and implementation.

IMPACT

The results highlighted several deficiencies in care, particularly relating to evidence of implementation, patient involvement and nutritional screening. The results from this study will be used to inform and improve future pressure injury prevention practice within the study hospital and should be used to inform and benchmark pressure injury preventative practices in other hospitals.

REPORTING METHOD

The study adheres to STROBE guidelines.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

None.

Conceptual Framework for Incontinence-Associated Dermatitis Based on Scoping Review and Expert Consensus Process

Incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD) has been studied over the last decades, but gaps in the knowledge related to its identification, etiological agents, and risk factors remain. We carried out a scoping review about IAD that included systematic reviews, experimental, and observational studies about IAD and its potential risk factors. We retrieved 24 articles that described 100 potential risk factors and which were synthesized by the authors and proposed to a panel of experts. Panelists used a structured process of consensus development to create a conceptual framework of factors associated with IAD. This framework proposes that liquid fecal material, when combined with exposure to urine and stool, and bacterial contaminated urine are etiological factors for development of IAD. The framework also proposes 2 pathophysiological mechanisms and 8 main risk factors for IAD development. The proposed model could improve the quality of care for patients with or at risk of IAD, assisting healthcare professionals to identify at-risk patients, diagnose the type of lesion, and establish adequate and effective prevention and treatment measures.

Psychometric Properties of the Chinese Version of the Pieper-Zulkowski Pressure Ulcer Knowledge Test in Nursing Practice: A Cross-sectional Survey

OBJECTIVE

To translate the Pieper-Zulkowski Pressure Ulcer Knowledge Test into Chinese and analyze the internal consistency of the adapted questionnaire.

METHODS

The Pieper-Zulkowski Pressure Ulcer Knowledge Test was translated into Chinese, and the internal consistency and content validity of the translated test were assessed. Further, the authors conducted a cross-sectional survey using the test among 476 RNs in six hospitals in four cities of China.

MAIN RESULTS

The Cronbach α was .93 for all items and .83, .82, and .84 for the prevention, staging, and wound description subscales, respectively. The validity of content was acceptable (content validity index = 0.83-1.00). The average correct scores were as follows: total, 69.37%; prevention, 73.38%; staging, 69.61%; and wound description, 64.87%. Nurses with more advanced professional titles or wound care certifications scored significantly higher than other test takers. Participants who had conducted internet research about pressure injuries or read the pressure injury guidelines also had significantly higher scores than those who had not.

CONCLUSIONS

The translated instrument can effectively measure Chinese nurses' knowledge about pressure injuries.

The prevalence of pressure ulcers in Europe, what does the European data tell us: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE

The main aim of this systematic review was to establish the prevalence of pressure ulcers (PU) within published studies from Europe.

METHOD

Using systematic review methodology, quantitative design studies which explored prevalence data and/or the epidemiology of PUs in Europe were considered. The primary outcome was PU prevalence. The search, conducted in April 2019, using Cochrane, Medline, Embase, CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases, returned 3065 records, of which 79 met the inclusion criteria. Data were extracted using a pre-designed extraction tool, and validity analysis was undertaken using the Evidence-Based Librarianship (EBL) Critical Appraisal Checklist.

RESULTS

We included 79 articles in this review. Across the studies, the median prevalence was 10.8% (standard deviation: 7%; range: 4.6-27.2%). The highest PU prevalence reported was from the Netherlands (27.2%; n=17,494 participants), and the lowest was reported from Finland (4.6%; n=629 participants). Almost 32.4% (n=151,195) of the PUs were category I and the most common site for PUs was the sacrum.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence data is consistently high. These data indicate the continued need for further resource allocation into PU prevention and management.

Australian Nurses' Knowledge of Pressure Injury Prevention and Management: A Cross-sectional Survey

PURPOSE:

The aim of this study was to assess nurses' knowledge of pressure injuries in order to gather benchmark data, identify knowledge gaps, and based on results, implement educational strategies to improve practice.

DESIGN:

Cross-sectional survey.

SUBJECTS AND SETTING:

The study setting was a large Australian tertiary general hospital employing approximately 2500 nurses in both full-time and part-time roles. A proportional sample (25%) stratified by experience, preparation, and facility-generated categories (nursing grade) was generated. The sample included nursing students and nursing assistants. Three hundred six participants completing the survey.

INSTRUMENT:

The Pieper-Zulkowski Pressure Ulcer Knowledge Test (PZPUKT) version 2, comprising 72 statements, with 3 subscales (prevention/risk, staging, and wound description) was used to measure pressure injury knowledge. Item responses are “True,” “False,” and “Don't know.” For the purpose of analyses, correct responses were scored 1, and incorrect or “don't know” responses were scored 0. Generally accepted ranges of scoring for the original PZPUKT specify less than 70% as unsatisfactory, 70% to 79.9% as satisfactory, 80% to 89.9% as good, and 90% and greater as very good knowledge of pressure injury prevention.

METHODS:

The survey was advertised throughout the hospital by strategically placed posters, computer screen savers within the hospital, and e-mails. Respondents completed paper-based questionnaires and data were manually entered online. Data were collected between September 2015 and October 2016. Descriptive and nonparametric inferential statistical tests (Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis H) were used to analyze within sample differences in scores.

RESULTS:

The overall mean knowledge score was 65%; approximately two-thirds of the sample (68%) scored 60% and greater, reflecting an unsatisfactory knowledge level of pressure injury prevention according to the original PZPUKT scores. The lowest mean scores were found in the “wound description” subscale. Participants who sought pressure injury information via the Internet or had read pressure injury guidelines scored significantly higher than those who did not (P = .001 and P < .001, respectively). Seventeen items were answered incorrectly by over half of participants, identifying important knowledge deficits, particularly within the wound description subscale.

CONCLUSIONS:

When compared with results from studies using the PZPUKT, we contend that a cutoff score of 60% and greater (instead of ≥70%) should be used to indicate an overall satisfactory score. Our results identified deficits in pressure injury knowledge related to seating support and seated individuals and wound dressings as areas where nurses would benefit from focused education strategies.

Quality indicators: tools for the management of best practices in Health

OBJECTIVE

To analyze how nurses recognize and use quality indicators, aimed at contributing to the management of best practices in Health.

METHOD

Case study with a qualitative approach, conducted with twelve nurses from a hospital in southern Brazil from March to May 2016. For data collection, semi-structured interviews and focus groups were used. Data were subjected to content analysis, in the thematic modality.

RESULTS

The data showed that quality indicators are regarded as a tool for measuring health care outcomes, promoting the improvement of continuous care, assisting in the clinical decision-making and being present in discussions with the nursing team, in addition to contributing to the management of best practices in Health.

FINAL CONSIDERATION

Quality indicator may support improvements in health services and in the nursing work, strengthening health policies.

Pressure Ulcer in Intensive Care Units: a case-control study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the relationship between presence/absence of Pressure Ulcer, socio-demographic factors and hospitalization.

METHOD

Case-control study, performed through multiple logistic regression based on information from the adverse event reporting system and the hospital information system, between September/2014 and August/2015.

RESULTS

Among the risk factors, after adjustment, age greater than or equal to 60 years, hospitalization due to infectious, parasitic and neoplastic diseases, periods of hospitalization longer than seven days and being hospitalized in ICU other than ICU covenant were highlighted. Most of ulcers were reported with mild damage degree and Stage II classification.

CONCLUSION

Age and days of hospitalization presented a dose-response effect, the longer the age or the number of days of hospitalization, the greater the chances of Pressure Ulcer. There was a significant association among higher occurrences of death in patients with ulcer.