An Examination of Nurse Caring and Hospital Acquired Pressure Ulcers

Abstract

The Nyberg Caring Assessment Scale (NCA) and the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators (NDNQI) were used to measure nurse caring and hospital acquired pressure ulcers. This is an exploratory, descriptive, single-site study conducted in a large academic, trauma center, twice Magnet® designated in the southeast United States. Caring theory, the mechanics of pressure ulcer development, and wound prevalence between medical-surgical and critical care units was explored. No statistically significant differences in caring scores were identified between nurse groups, although pressure ulcer prevalence differed. Existing high standards of care and the tool itself are noted as factors influencing the results.