The problem of pressure sores has not diminished despite the advances in modern medicine. Studies point to the following data: Shiferaw et al. (2020) speaks of nearly 12% bedsores in the adult population. Li et al. (2020) state 8.9% total hospital-acquired bedsores and 12.8% total morbidity. The worldwide prevalence is about 1%, and this increases to almost 5% with age and peaks in men and women over the age of 95 (Zhang et al., 2021). Bedsores occur in hospitalized patients as well as in patients treated at home or in long-term care facilities.
Background
The main reason for the high prevalence of bedsores is the aging of the population and the increase in patients with comorbid pathology. The increase in life expectancy in the modern world is associated with improved living conditions in most countries and advances in health care (Zhang et al., 2021). The reverse side of the aging population is increasingly elderly and senile patients in hospitals. As a result, the number of potential bedsores is increasing, and the resources available may not be sufficient to respond quickly to the problem (Shiferaw et al., 2020). In addition, aging is also observed among medical staff, which also leads to a risk factor. The increasing risk is affecting the entire population simultaneously, putting each clinical organization in limbo.
Bedsores (ICD-10 code L89) are localized lesions of the skin and/or underlying tissue that usually occur over a bone protrusion as a result of, usually, long-term pressure or pressure combined with shear or friction. The most common sites of decubitus development are the skin covering the sacrum, coccyx, heels, and hips (Li et al., 2020). Other areas can also be affected: knees, ankles, back of the shoulders, or skull. Clinically, a pressure ulcer can be defined as a pressure ulcer. This pressure is caused by staying in one position for a long time, being in a wheelchair, or wearing a plaster for a long time.
The factors for the development of pressure sores are pretty varied, indicating the need to develop more specific preventive techniques. Continuous pressure, displacement forces, friction, and moisture are the most critical factors contributing to bedsores (Shiferaw et al., 2020). Limited motor activity, inadequate nutrition, and care also play a significant role in the development of ulcers. In addition, significant risk factors include age over 70 years, male gender, diabetes mellitus, paraplegia, or cachexia.
Evidence
Bedsores are a severe problem for patients and their relatives. Inadequate bedsores management significantly increases the direct and indirect medical and non-medical costs associated with the patient’s subsequent treatment due to bedsores and their infection (Li et al., 2020). Organizations allocate a lot of funds for dressings and medications, but when bedsores increase, resources may not be sufficient. In addition, the harm caused to the patient affects the patient physically, psychologically, and financially. For example, increased length of hospitalization, costs over insurance coverage for bedsores, and post-discharge expenses.
The relevance of bedsores is high worldwide, forcing researchers to continue to look for ways to address their prevalence. Questions arise as to which factors are leading to this problem and why the staff cannot yet meet them (Aydin Sayilan, 2019). In addition, the issue of bedsores prevention is being discovered since not all organizations can staff clinics during the post-coital period. Due to an aging population and increasing life expectancy, bedsores are also becoming a leading problem in nursing homes and clinical facilities on a preventive basis for the adult population.
Resources allocated to addressing bedsores are based on physically preventing high morbidity through interventions within the hospital. Medical staff is taking action and trying to educate patients, but general preventive measures are lacking. The lack of a public health agenda and the development of innovative methods of treatment of bedsores lead to a spike in morbidity in areas remote from high-quality hospitals (Afzali Borojeny et al., 2020). As a result, the problem of bedsores is solved point by point, and the measures taken do not improve the population’s quality of life.
Outlining the Problem
According to a literature review, the incidence of bedsores in the elderly population is gradually decreasing. Various preventive measures are taken to prevent them: skin care, massage, and regular turning of the torso (Aydin Sayilan, 2019). Despite these actions, there is an unacceptably high incidence of bedsores, affecting both the young and the elderly (Zhang et al., 2021). It is recognized that this problem is faced by many clinical hospitals, including the study base. Based on the above, it is appropriate to frame the problem as follows:
In response to the high incidence of bedsores in the population, it is recommended that a qualitative study of risk factors for bedsores be conducted and a public health prevention agenda created. The current research plan will include a study of risk factor mitigation techniques and an analysis of their effectiveness.
Statement of Purpose
Research establishes that the incidence of bedsores varies among hospital wards, hence the gap in effective prevention (Afzali Borojeny et al., 2020). Thus, this study aims to validate different preventive techniques based on an analysis of the morbidity of the organization’s wards under investigation.
References
Afzali Borojeny, L., Albatineh, A. N., Hasanpour Dehkordi, A., & Ghanei Gheshlagh, R. (2020). The incidence of pressure ulcers and its associations in different wards of the hospital: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International journal of preventive medicine, 11, 171. Web.
Aydin Sayilan, A. (2019). Evidence-based practices for the prevention of pressure ulcers. Journal of Health Services and Education, 3(1), 7-10.
Li, Z., Lin, F., Thalib, L., & Chaboyer, W. (2020). Global prevalence and incidence of pressure injuries in hospitalised adult patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.International journal of nursing studies, 105, 103546.
Shiferaw, W. S., Aynalem, Y. A., & Akalu, T. Y. (2020). Prevalence of pressure ulcers among hospitalized adult patients in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Dermatology, 20(15).
Zhang, X., Zhu, N., Li, Z., Xie, X., Liu, T., & Ouyang, G. (2021). The global burden of decubitus ulcers from 1990 to 2019. Scientific Reports, 11(21750).