Assessment of nurses’ knowledge on the pressure ulcers

Objective Nurses, who deal on a daily basis with patients with risk factors for the development of pressure ulcers (PU), must have the necessary knowledge for a better care of these persons. The aim of our study was to evaluate the knowledge of our institute's nurses on the subject of the PU. Material/patients and methods It was a prospective evaluative study. We interviewed the nurses who were frequently confronted with patients who may develop PU using a pre-established questionnaire. Our questionnaire included 28 questions, distributed over 6 items (forms of PU, risk factors, evaluation of its risk of occurrence, evaluation, follow-up and the means of prevention). Results Forty nurses were included. Seniority at work averaged 9.5 years, 42.5% of participants thought that the PU could be in the form of blister. Skin necrosis is a form of PU according to 92.5% of the participants. Ninety percent of participants thought that the deep tissue involvement presents a form of PU. Regarding the main risk factor for development of PU, 62.5% of respondents cited prolonged immobilization. Ninety-five percent of nurses had supported the importance of using scales to assess the risk of PU. Among our participants, 42.5% were for the realization of risk assessment for all patients even in absence of risk factor. The assessment of PU should include location (85%), stage (92.5%), surface and depth measurements (87.5%) and pain assessment (70%). Seventy-five percent of nurses thought that a PU should be monitored by a team with nurses, physiotherapists and doctors. Concerning the means of prevention, 97.5% of nurses were for the change of positions, 82.5% were for the utility of a healthy nutrition, and 95% of participants were for therapeutic education of patients and their families for the prevention of PU. Discussion – conclusion The PU is a common but preventable cutaneous complication. This study has uncovered the knowledge of caregivers in order to make them aware of the risk of PU the interest of setting up a protocol of prevention.