The impact of standardized patient interactions on nursing students’ preventive interventions for pressure ulcers

AimThis study was performed as a quasi-experimental study using a standardized patient simulation program in order to explore the effects of education on the performance and knowledge of undergraduate nursing students with respect to pressure ulcer prevention.MethodsThe study sample consisted of 38 students who completed the study. After the theoretical education portion, the students first knowledge and performance scores were evaluated with the standardized patient program. Demonstration education with the standardized patient and a second standardized patient practice were then performed. Afterwards, a debriefing session was held under the supervision of the researcher. After three months, the second knowledge and performance score evaluation was performed with the standardized patient. Knowledge and performance scores were compared after theoretical training and three months after simulation training.ResultsThe mean score of 38 students were 43.68 ± 9.06 and 75.92 ± 16.84 on the pre- and post-tests, respectively. Preliminary points were significantly lower than post-test points (p < 0.001). The median performance score was 7.89 (min–max: 0–73.68) in the first simulation and 86.84 (min–max: 63.16–100.00) in the second simulation. There was a statistically significant change between the two performance scores (p < 0.001).ConclusionIn this study, it was determined that the level of knowledge and performance persisted in the evaluations after comprehensive training using standardized patient simulations. This study confirmed standardized patient practice as an efficient learning modality for nursing students in the long-term.     

Effects of education about prevention of pressure ulcer on knowledge and attitudes of nursing students

BackgroundPressure ulcer is a significant healthcare problem throughout the world. Nurse educators should take the responsibility for students’ improving knowledge, skills and attitudes regarding prevention of Pressure ulcer and allocate sufficient time to teach them by using various teaching methods. In this study we evaluate effects of education about prevention of pressure ulcer on knowledge and attitudes of nursing students.MethodsThis is a quasi-experimental study with a control group and a posttest. The study population comprised of 96 second-year nursing students at a university in Middle Anatolia Region of Turkey. The study sample included 84 second year nursing students, of whom 42 were assigned into an intervention group and 42 were assigned into a control group. The intervention group was offered education for two hours weekly for four weeks. Data collection between April and May in 2019. The statistics program SPSS 22 packaged software was used in the analyses of data.ResultsThere was not a significant difference in sociodemographic features between the intervention and control groups. The groups significantly differed in their total scores for attitudes to prevention of pressure ulcer (p < 0.05). The intervention group got a significantly higher mean score for knowledge about prevention of pressure ulcer (63.00 ± 16.71) than the control group (39.35 ± 9.77) (p < 0.05).ConclusionThe control group had lower scores for knowledge and attitudes about prevention, evaluation and management of pressure ulcer. Educators should revise the content of the national nursing curriculum about pressure ulcer and update their learning material and lectures in accordance with national and international guidelines.     

Validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the pressure injury knowledge assessment tool 2.0

AimThe aim of this study was to develop a Turkish version of the Pressure Ulcer Knowledge Assessment Tool 2.0 (PUKAT 2.0) and determine its validity and reliability.Materials and MethodsThis was a cross-cultural adaptation and validation study. The study sample included a total of 451 participants (232 nurses and 219 nursing students). The validity of the Turkish version of the PUKAT 2.0 was evaluated with linguistic validity, content validity, item validity (item difficulty, discriminating index), and construct validity (known-groups technique) analyses. The reliability of the tool was evaluated by conducting a test–retest analysis.ResultsContent validity index (CVI) for the items (Item-CVI) ranged from 0.83 to 1.00 and the CVI for the scale (Scale-CVI) was 0.95. The difficulty index for 21 items ranged from 0.10 to 0.63. Four items were found to be too difficult. Item discriminating index values ranged from 0.00 to 0.61. The overall intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was found to be 0.80.ConclusionThe Turkish version of the Pressure Injury Knowledge Assessment Tool 2.0 (PIKAT 2.0-Tr) is supported by acceptable psychometric properties and can be used to evaluate the knowledge of nurses and nursing students in Turkey about the prevention of PI.     

Pressure injury prevention: Knowledge and attitude and their predictors in Indonesian nurses working in hospital settings

AimNurses' knowledge and attitude are critical for pressure injury (PI) prevention. However, to date, there has been little research carried out on the knowledge and attitude of Indonesian nurses regarding PI prevention in hospital settings, and no study has investigated the predictors of knowledge and attitude of Indonesian nurses regarding PI prevention. This study therefore aims to investigate knowledge and attitude, and to identify the predictors of knowledge and attitude regarding PI prevention among Indonesian nurses in hospital settings.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted between 1st November 2021 and 5th March 2022. A total of 563 nurses from three general hospitals in Central Java Province participated. The Pressure Ulcer Knowledge Assessment Tool 2.0 and the Attitude Pressure Ulcer Prevention questionnaires were used. A multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine the predictors of nurses' knowledge and attitude regarding PI prevention.ResultsThe percentage of correct answers was 35.02%, indicating poor knowledge, while the percentage of nurses' attitudes was 75.46%, indicating a satisfactory attitude. The predictors of knowledge of PI prevention were found to be age (β = -0.127, p = 0.025), level of education (β = 0.153, p = 0.001) and income (β = 0.107, p = 0.021), while the predictors of attitude toward PI prevention were level of education (β = 0.101, p = 0.020) and professional position (β = 0.093, p = 0.033).ConclusionThis is the first study to identify the predictors of attitude and knowledge regarding PI prevention in Indonesian nurses in a hospital setting. The results indicate a need for appropriate educational training based on the predictors to be given to Indonesian nurses working in hospital settings to increase their knowledge of PI prevention.     

Knowledge of pressure injury in medical and surgical nurses in a tertiary level hospital: A cross-sectional study

BackgroundNurses play a vital role in pressure injury prevention (PIP) but require foundational knowledge to ensure appropriate PIP strategies are enacted.AimsTo describe and compare medical and surgical nurses’ knowledge of pressure injury (PI) in a tertiary level hospital in China, and to identify predictors of PI knowledge among these groups.DesignA cross-sectional survey was conducted between June and December 2020.MethodsRegistered nurses from nine medical and fifteen surgical wards in a tertiary hospital were invited. The survey was composed of two parts; demographic and professional characteristics; and the Chinese translated version of the Pressure Ulcer Knowledge Assessment Tool 2.0 (PUKAT 2.0) where the total score ranged from 0 to 25; higher scores imply more knowledge. Medical and surgical nurses' knowledge test scores were compared using independent t-test. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine factors predictive of nurses’ knowledge.ResultsIn total, 423 nurses from 24 wards participated the study and 404 nurses (95.5%) completed the knowledge test (Surgical n = 236, 58.4%; Medical n = 168, 41.6%). The PUKAT 2.0 mean score was 11.6 ± 3.0 (Surgical 12.2 ± 3.0; Medical 10.7 ± 2.8) with 335 (82.9%) nurses scoring <60%. Multiple linear regression showed working in surgical wards, nurse-in-charge position and previous PI training were significant predictors of knowledge scores.ConclusionKnowledge is a precursor to safe practice. Nurses demonstrated poor knowledge of PIP. Pressure injury related education may help improve nurses' knowledge but the extent to which it is used in place and impacts patients’ outcome requires more investigation.     

The knowledge and attitudes regarding pressure ulcer prevention among healthcare support workers in the UK: A cross-sectional study

BackgroundPressure ulcers cause significant, detrimental effects on personal wellbeing. They represent a serious health and social care burden. Nurses and those working in support roles are primarily accountable for preventing pressure ulcers. Healthcare support workers are an expanding group of key workers in the UK.ObjectiveTo examine healthcare support workers’ knowledge and attitudes regarding pressure ulcer prevention.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2020 to June 2021, using Knowledge and Attitudes toward Pressure Ulcer Prevention Assessment Tool.ResultsA total of 164 participants completed the questionnaire fully. A low mean knowledge score of 0.42 ± 0.14, but a positive attitude score of 0.76 ± 0.10 per item were reported. The weakest areas of knowledge include aetiology, risk assessment and addressing pressure-reducing interventions for patients at risk. Higher mean scores per item in knowledge of pressure ulcer prevention were reported in participants working in acute hospital wards and nursing homes (0.468 ± 0.15, 0.47 ± 0.08 respectively) than those in other settings (p < 0.05). Participants working in primary care scored lowest (0.33 ± 0.12). The scores of participants with more positive attitudes towards pressure ulcer prevention significantly correlated with higher score of knowledge (p < 0.005).ConclusionWhile positive attitudes towards pressure ulcer prevention exist among healthcare support workers, this is overshadowed by significant knowledge deficits. Findings highlight the importance of continuing structured education for support workers across both acute and community settings. A future national survey and interventional study are needed to examine support workers’ pressure ulcer knowledge and to inform a national continuous education strategy.     

Translation and validation of the ELPO for Turkish population: Risk assessment scale for the development of pressure injuries due to surgical positioning

Aim of the studyThis study was conducted to translate the ELPO risk assessment scale for the development of pressure injuries due to surgical positioning to Turkish and to test its validity and reliability in the Turkish Population.Materials and methodsThe data were collected using the patient identification form, the risk assessment scale for the prevention of injuries due to surgical positioning, and the Braden Scale. This scale consisted of a total of seven items, each of which contained five sub-items. It is rated between 1 and 5 in the Likert type. The total score of the scale ranges between 7 and 35. The risk of developing pressure injuries increases in patients as the score increases.ResultsA total of 184 patients were included in the study sample. The mean age of the group was 55.96 ± 17.90, and the content validity index was 0.944. The sensitivity of the test was 60%, the specificity was 66%, and the accuracy was 66%. There was a negative, weak, statistically significant correlation between the total scores of the risk assessment scale for the prevention of injuries due to surgical positioning and the Braden scale. The mean total score of the scale was 18.45 ± 2.96 (12–26) and 35.9% (n = 66) of the group were at high risk.ConclusionsThe ELPO, which includes the risks specific to patients during surgery, can be used as an assessment scale for the development of pressure injury due to surgical positioning for Turkish population.     

The effect of a pressure ulcer prevention care bundle on nursing workload costs

AimThis study investigated the effect of care under the guidance of a pressure ulcer prevention care bundle on pressure ulcer incidence rates and on nursing workload costs.Design, setting, and participantsThis prospective pre-post interventional study was conducted in an anesthesia and reanimation intensive care unit. The sample consisted of 16 nurses and 84 patients.MethodsThe study was conducted in two periods: (1) nursing workload of pre-care bundle period and (2) nursing workload of post-care bundle period. In the collection of data, 6 forms (the demographic data forms, the Braden scale, nurse information form, the care bundle follow-up form and nursing workload follow-up form) were administered. The main outcomes of the study; Pressure ulcer incidence rate was evaluated with Form V, and nursing workload costs were evaluated with Form VI. These forms were evaluated daily by the nurses. In the first period (15.09.2018–30.11.2018), pressure ulcer incidence rates and nursing workload costs were evaluated before training. Then, the researcher trained nurses on how to prevent pressure ulcers and use the care bundle. The care bundles components were risk assessment, skincare, activity, in-service training, nutrition, wetness/incontinence and support surface management, and keeping records. In the second period (01.12.2018–15.02.2019), pressure ulcer incidence rates and nursing workload costs were evaluated after the training. The outcomes of the two periods regarding the incidence of pressure ulcers and nursing workload costs were compared.ResultsThe pressure ulcer incidence rates before and after the care bundle were 22.1 and 13.0 per 100 patient-day, respectively. There was a decrease in pressure ulcer incidence rates after the care bundle, but it wasn't significant (p = 0.138). The total workload cost of pressure ulcer prevention was significantly lower after the care bundle than before (p = 0.001).ConclusionThe pressure ulcer incidence rates were lower after the care bundle than before, albeit insignificantly. The total pressure ulcer prevention workload costs were significantly lower after the care bundle than before. The reduction in pressure ulcer incidence and workload cost indicates that the use of care bundle is effective. Healthcare professionals in intensive care units should use a pressure ulcer prevention care bundle more often.     

Anti-embolism stocking care protocol to prevent associated skin problems: A quasi-experimental study

AimThe aim of this quasi-experimental study was to develop an anti-embolism stocking care protocol and assess its effectiveness in preventing associated skin problems on the legs.Materials and methodsThe study was conducted between 02 March and July 20, 2016 in the surgical clinics of a private university hospital in Ankara, Turkey. The sample consisted of 27 nurses and 162 patients (three different patients were fitted of anti-embolism stockings by each of the 27 nurses; pre-protocol 81 patients and post-protocol 81 patients). Data were collected using data collection forms developed by the researchers. An anti-embolism stocking care protocol was developed and used. Nurses and patients were evaluated using an observational method.ResultsFollowing implementation of the protocol, nurses’ mean knowledge (95.24 ± 5.60) and intervention skill (92.06 ± 10.42) scores were significantly higher than their pre-protocol knowledge (73.54 ± 14.26) and intervention skill (15.30 ± 6.84) scores. Nurses performed almost all steps of the care protocol correctly after the protocol was implemented. The rates of skin problems such as pressure ulcers, neurovascular problems and issues associated with wrinkles or creases in stockings were significantly reduced after implementation of the protocol.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that nurses’ knowledge and intervention skills are increased when a care protocol is used, together with the prevention of errors and improved patient outcomes. The use of care protocols guides nurses in practice, raises awareness and helps to achieve nursing care objectives by standardizing information.