Patients and Caregivers’ Understanding of Pressure Injury Risk Factors and Their Participation in Care

Rose Ekama Ilesanmi,Bolaji Funke Olayinka,Victoria Funmilayo Hanson

doi:10.20849/ijsn.v4i2.574

Abstract

Background: Recommendations to prevent pressure injuries (PI) consistently emphasize patients’ participation in care, without which interventions are less likely to be effective. Aim: To examine patients and/or their caregivers’ knowledge of risk factors and participation in PI preventive interventions.Subjects and Methods: This descriptive study was conducted among 70 patients in neurological and orthopaedic wards in the University College Hospital in Nigeria. The patients were purposively selected. Knowledge about risk factors for PI, level of participation in care and perceived barriers were examined using structured questionnaire.Findings: Mean age was age 49± 18years; 37(66.1%) did not consider they were at risk for PI. Poor knowledge of risk factors: incontinence (59.3%), dragging self out of bed (56.5%), loss of sensation (58.3), when the nurse drags than lifts (66.7%) was found. Mean knowledge of risk factors was 1.42±0.49 and level of participation (1.31± 0.47). Barriers to participation included inadequate instruction from nurses about what they or their caregivers needed to do (2.41±1.16); pain during repositioning (3.58±1.16); feeling incompetent to turn (3.10±1.27; caregivers not allowed to stay on the ward (3.47±1.12). Only education was significantly associated with level of participation (P= 0.002< 0.05). However, no significant association existed between the medical diagnosis of the patients and their level of participation (P = 0.347 >0.05). Conclusion: Patients’ knowledge of risk factors was poor and participation was also low. Well defined instructions should be provided during hospitalization to improve patient’s participation in care.

Highlights

Pressure injury (PI) previously termed pressure ulcer is a significant patient safety and quality healthcare issue and remains one of the major healthcare problems around the world, with major impact on the health care system, patients and their families (Moore, Cowman & Conroy, 2011; Cilibertia et al 2014); yet pressure injuries (PI) is preventable
It is reported that these interventions though simple, are less likely to be effective if patients are not fully engaged (Schofield, Porter-Armstrong & Stinson (2014); NPUAP/EPUAP/PPPIA 2014)
We examined respondents’ perspective about participating in PI prevention

Summary

Introduction

Pressure injury (PI) previously termed pressure ulcer is a significant patient safety and quality healthcare issue and remains one of the major healthcare problems around the world, with major impact on the health care system, patients and their families (Moore, Cowman & Conroy, 2011; Cilibertia et al 2014); yet PI is preventable. In the light of this, there is increased focus on the prevention and early detection of PI in healthcare organizations, with simple interventions such as moving, repositioning, rehydration and skincare (Black et al, 2011; NPUAP/EPUAP/PPPIA 2014). Literature confirms the willingness of patients to participate in certain aspects of their care, only when they have sufficient information through targeted instructions/education (Mclnnes et al, 2014; Tobiano, Bucknall, Marshall, Guinane & Chaboyer, 2016) This area is not adequately explored with regards to PI prevention. Following an extensive review of literature, we found only two studies which were conducted in Australia These studies explored the perceived roles of patients in preventing pressure injury (Mclnnes et al, 2014; Latimer, Chaboyer & Gillespie, 2014). Aim: To examine patients and/or their caregivers’ knowledge of risk factors and participation in PI preventive interventions

Objectives

Results

Discussion

Conclusion