Initial Assessment Effect on Pressure Ulcer Among Adult Patient with Cancer: An Evidence-Based Review

Abstract

Introduction: Effective prevention of pressure ulcers (PUs) is a major concern in nursing practice worldwide. PU prevention consists of two interrelated steps: (1) risk assessment and (2) applying preventive interventions and measures based on the assumed PU risk level.Purpose: We conducted a review of research into interventions designed to identify effectiveness of the use of risk assessment scales for pressure ulcer prevention in clinical practice.Method: Search different internet data bases including: using “pubmed,” “science direct,” “highwire” and “scientific Google” database.Sample: 80 articles were found; the review utilized 12 articles which met the inclusion criteria. The incidence and prevalence rates of pressure ulcers are different from one hospital to another and from one country to another Studies included in this review focused on the Use of Pressure ulcer in term of assessment and prevention among adult patient in cancer. Result: Future studies should deal with different kinds of PU in order to be able to provide solid data for nursing practice within the vulnerable group of oncology patients. Furthermore, uniform interventions, assessment instruments, and designs should be used for collecting the results to enable comparability.Conclusion: There is no evidence that the use of risk assessment scales decreases pressure ulcer incidence. The Braden Scale offers the best balance between sensitivity and specificity and the best risk estimate.Recommendations: Complete an initial assessment of the individual with a pressure ulcer, to include the individual's and family's goals of care, Risk for developing additional pressure ulcers, Functional capacity, particularly in regard to positioning, posture and the need for assistive equipment and personnel and Pain related to pressure ulcers.