Nurses' Practice Related to Prevention of Pressure Ulcer among Patients and Factors Inhibiting and Promoting these Practices

Pressure sores have plagued the nursing profession for many years as a major health care problem in terms of a patient's suffering and financial cost. Current study is aimed to assess nurses’ practices related to prevention of pressure ulcer and identifying factors which inhibit and promote nursing practices in relation to pressure ulcer prevention. An observational approach was used with descriptive design on sample of 100 nurses from medical- surgical units of the Maharishi Markandeshwar Institute of Medical Science and Research, Hospital, Mullana, Ambala selected by convenience sampling technique. The data was collected by using observational checklist and rating scale. The nurses’ practice observed and showed that majority of nurses (87%) was performing fair practice for prevention of pressure ulcer and only 2 nurses were doing good practice. There was no significant association of level of preventive practice with age, gender, year of experience and there was significant association of level preventive practice with area of work. Factors identified by nurses as promoter for practice in relation to prevention of pressure ulcer are: Use of risk assessment tool, Use of pressure ulcer prevention protocol, Teamwork & collaboration, Supervision of bedside practice by ward sisters. Factors identified by nurses as inhibitor are: Lack of confidence in performing activities, Inadequate skin care supplies, More involvement of nurses in non patient care activities, Knowledge deficit for use of equipments and skin care products, Lack of patient co-operation in following commands, lack of staff training and education. Therefore it is concluded that nurses’ practice in relation to prevention of pressure ulcer are not appropriate.