European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY TO ASSESS THE KNOWLEDGE OF STAFF NURSES REGARDING PREVENTION OF PRESSURE ULCER AMONG BEDRIDDEN PATIENTS IN SELECTED HOSPITALS, MANGALURU

Sreekanth P. S.*, Prof. Shashi Kumar Jawadagi, Anju Ullas and Nidhina Paul

ABSTRACT

Background of the study: A pressure ulcer is commonly termed as bedsores, Decubitus ulcer or pressure sore and sometimes as pressure necrosis or ischemic ulcer. The term pressure ulcer was popularized by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Pressure ulcer has been set as “an area of unrelieved pressure usually over a bony prominence leading to ischemia, cell destruction and tissue necrosis. Pressure ulcers have been identified as one of the most costly and physically debilitating complications in the 21th century. Pressure ulcers are the third most expensive disorder after cancer and cardiovascular diseases. In Indian context, the prevalence of pressure ulcers in hospitalized patients has been reported to be 4.94%. Prevention of pressure ulcer is an important goal. Not surprisingly the hospital stay is longer in these patients with increased risk of nosocomial and renal infections. The hospital re-admission charge per unit is likewise very high. The cognition of the staff nurses regarding prevention of pressure ulcer plays a significant role in safeguard and health, preventing pressure ulcer. The present study aimed to assess the knowledge of staff nurses regarding prevention of pressure ulcer among bedridden patients in selected hospital.  To assess the level of knowledge of staff nurses regarding prevention of pressure ulcer among bedridden patients.  To find out association between knowledge score and the selected socio demographic variables. Methodology: The data was collected after obtaining permission from the concerned authority to conduct the study. The purpose of study was explained and written consent was obtained from the study participants. The participants were assured about the confidentiality of their responses. The baseline characteristics with 5 items and dichotomous questionnaire with 30items were administered to the staff nurses working in the yenepoya hospital. For the present study, non probability, convenience sampling technique was used for selecting the samples. 100 staff nurses working in the yenepoya hospital in Mangalore were selected as the samples for the study. Data collected from the samples were analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics. Result: In this study shows that, the highest percentage (76%) of the samples were in the age group of 22-40 years. Majority of the samples were females (88%). More than half (61%) of the subjects were with the qualification of GNM. 76% were with the experience of 2 – 4 years and 38% were working in the medicine ward.  The subjects were with the mean 15.25 ± 2.74, the mean % of 50.83revealed that subjects were with inadequate knowledge regarding prevention of pressure ulcers.  More than half of the subjects 60% were with adequate knowledge and rest 40% were with inadequate knowledge. Conclusion: Pressure ulcers are the third most expensive disorder after cancer and cardiovascular diseases. It can develop quickly and are very difficult to treat. Consistent, planned skin care assessment and interventions are critical to ensuring high quality of nursing care.

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