INTRODUCTION Pressure ulcers are painful and can cause extensive damage and infection within underlying tissues. However, they are also preventable, and this is the reason that insurance companies will no longer reimburse hospitals to treat them. For all of the aforementioned reasons, it is essential for hospitals to follow evidence-based practices in order to be able to prevent pressure ulcers among their patients.
RISK ASSESSMENT
Since pressure ulcers are seen so commonly seen in acute care settings it is necessary to have a framework ready to evaluate patient’s risk for developing a decubitus ulcer. Patients at a higher risk for developing pressure ulcers include: those older than 65, critical care patients, patients with fractured hips, those with spinal cord injuries, diabetic patients, …show more content…
Unfortunately, there are still many barriers to implementing evidence based practice effectively. One of the major issues is that nursing staff is neglecting to do a full skin assessment on admission of a patient, a full skin assessment includes removing clothing and dressings and examining all areas of the skin (Holmes, 2010). Another issue is that some nurses do not know how to properly use the Braden scale (Holmes, 2010). Lastly, in the acute care setting there are often too many barriers to put in place three preventative strategies within the first twenty-four hours of admission (Holmes, 2010). Supplies are often inaccessible, items such as special mattresses need approval to be ordered, and incontinence and moisture products often are not in stock (Holmes, 2010). Management needs to work closely with the nursing staff to determine the needs of the facility; whether it is education or supplies, so that effective evidence based practice pressure ulcer policies can be
RISK ASSESSMENT
Since pressure ulcers are seen so commonly seen in acute care settings it is necessary to have a framework ready to evaluate patient’s risk for developing a decubitus ulcer. Patients at a higher risk for developing pressure ulcers include: those older than 65, critical care patients, patients with fractured hips, those with spinal cord injuries, diabetic patients, …show more content…
Unfortunately, there are still many barriers to implementing evidence based practice effectively. One of the major issues is that nursing staff is neglecting to do a full skin assessment on admission of a patient, a full skin assessment includes removing clothing and dressings and examining all areas of the skin (Holmes, 2010). Another issue is that some nurses do not know how to properly use the Braden scale (Holmes, 2010). Lastly, in the acute care setting there are often too many barriers to put in place three preventative strategies within the first twenty-four hours of admission (Holmes, 2010). Supplies are often inaccessible, items such as special mattresses need approval to be ordered, and incontinence and moisture products often are not in stock (Holmes, 2010). Management needs to work closely with the nursing staff to determine the needs of the facility; whether it is education or supplies, so that effective evidence based practice pressure ulcer policies can be