Introduction
Three credible peer-reviewed articles were selected to address the issue of the PICO question, which explores the potential for nursing reduction of hospital-acquired pressure ulcers by padding bony prominences, proper skin care, and adequate nutrition.
Literature Review
Effectiveness on Hospital‐Acquired Pressure Ulcers Prevention
Researchers Gaspar et al. (2019) evaluate an approach to preventing pressure ulcers in a hospital setting. The study systematically reviews articles in databases between 2009 and 2018 (Gaspar et al., 2019). In 26 studies, multiple interventions were the most effective compared to single interventions (Gaspar et al., 2019). Preventive dressings, skin care, and employee training associated with a reminder of the need for intervention were named the most effective methods (Gaspar et al., 2019). At the same time, one of the types of intervention was effective only in combination with other preventive methods.
Effects of Implementing Pressure Ulcer Prevention Practice Guidelines
A study by Buh et al. (2021) mentions that pressure ulcers are serious and potentially life-threatening, regardless of hospital or region. Researchers mention pressure ulcers are the most common problem among older patients (Buh et al., 2021). The research method is a systematic review to identify the most effective pressure ulcer prevention practices, taken from worldwide recommendations. Pre-intervention skin and tissue assessments have been mentioned as effective prevention strategies (Buh et al., 2021). Nutrition and early mobilization, monitoring of healing, and wound care using wound dressings are named within the framework of competent world practices (Buh et al., 2021).
Pressure Ulcer Prevention
Strube-Lahmann & Lahmann (2021) mention in their study that pressure ulcers not only harm patients’ health but also represent a significant increase in healthcare system costs. To find effective ways to prevent pressure ulcers, the researchers invited all German hospitals to participate in a survey (Strube-Lahmann & Lahmann, 2021). Examination and skin care were the most common prevention procedures (Strube-Lahmann & Lahmann, 2021). At the same time, many hospitals did not have practical recommendations for preventing pressure ulcers.
Conclusion
The selected articles support the notion that proper skin care and adequate nutrition may be effective pressure ulcer prevention measures that hospitals can implement to help patients and reduce costs. Skincare is cited as an effective intervention in all three studies reviewed (Gaspar et al., 2019; Buh et al., 2021; Strube-Lahmann & Lahmann, 2021). One study cited nutrition as an appropriate measure to control pressure ulcers (Buh et al., 2021). Padding bony prominences was not considered a preventive measure in the studies selected.
At the same time, two more critical factors contributing to preventing pressure ulcers were mentioned. These factors include the additional education of health workers and the regular nature of interventions to change the situation (Gaspar et al., 2019). A noteworthy mention is the need to be reminded of the time of rollovers to prevent pressure ulcers as an additional measure (Gaspar et al., 2019).
Research reveals a significant gap that needs to be addressed: the lack of a unified pressure ulcer policy that can guide all healthcare professionals. As a result of this omission, healthcare professionals are using the most intuitively simple method: skin monitoring. Finding an effective pressure ulcer management strategy for long-term hospitalized patients is a significant public health challenge to help patients overcome the complications of reduced mobility.
References
Buh, A. W., Mahmoud, H., Chen, W., McInnes, M. D., & Fergusson, D. A. (2021). Effects of implementing Pressure Ulcer Prevention Practice Guidelines (PUPPG) in the prevention of pressure ulcers among hospitalised elderly patients: A systematic review protocol. BMJ Open, 11(3), 1-5. Web.
Gaspar, S., Peralta, M., Marques, A., Budri, A., & Gaspar de Matos, M. (2019). Effectiveness on hospital‐acquired pressure ulcers prevention: A systematic review. International Wound Journal, 16(5), 1087-1102. Web.
Strube‐Lahmann, S., & Lahmann, N. A. (2021). Pressure ulcer prevention – Results of a multicentre cross‐sectional survey on hospital infrastructures and processes in acute hospitals and accident and emergency departments. Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice, 27(6), 1361-1368. Web.