NURSING

Evidence based practice in nursing to promote patient safety

Evidence based practice in nursing to promote patient safety

PROBLEM STATEMENT

Pressure ulcers (also known as bedsores, pressure sores, decubitus ulcers) are areas of localised damage to the skin and underlying tissue due to pressure, shear or friction. They are common in the elderly and immobile and costly in financial and human terms. Pressure-relieving beds, waffle mattresses and seat cushions are widely used as aids to prevention in both institutional and non-institutional settings

The pressure ulcer is the most common complication for patients who have limited ability in bed. When moving patients across the bed in order to reposition or transfer, the pulling can lead to skin tearing and skin breakdown. Pressure ulcers are recognized as an important problem.

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Pressure-relieving overlays on the operating table have been shown to reduce postoperative pressure ulcer incidence, although two studies indicated that foam overlays resulted in adverse skin changes. Two trials indicated that Australian standard medical sheepskins prevented pressure ulcers. There is insufficient evidence to draw conclusions on the value of seat cushions, limb protectors and various constant low pressure devices as pressure ulcer prevention strategies. These waffle mattresses help to prevent skin breakdown.

According to recent studies, pressure ulcers can develop within muscle tissue which pads bony prominences, and at the early stages of injury there might be no external indication that deep tissue necrosis has occurred. The US National Advisory Panel has introduced the term 'Deep Tissue Injury' (DTI) for cases belonging to this unique potentially life - threatening form of pressure ulcer (Gefen 2007 p. 3).

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

Concepts related to person are self care (the performance or practice of activities that individual initiate and perform on their own behalf to maintain life, health, and well being), self - care agency (the capacity of the ...