Donna Martin1, Lisa Albensi2, Stephanie Van Haute3, Maria Froese4, Mary Montgomery5, Mavis Lam6, Kendra Gierys7, Rob Lajeunesse8, Lorna Guse9, Nataliya Basova10. 1. Xi Lambda, Associate Professor, University of Manitoba, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, College of Nursing, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. 2. Xi Lambda, Director of Health Services, Southern Health Sante-Sud Regional Authority, Bethesda Regional Health Centre, Steinbach, Manitoba, Canada. 3. Program Development Officer, Manitoba HIV Program, Winnipeg Manitoba; Nursing Supervisor, St. Boniface Hospital, Winnipeg Manitoba; Facility Patient Care Manager, Seven Oaks General Hospital, Seven Oaks General Hospital, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. 4. Physiotherapist, Health Sciences Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. 5. Occupational Therapist, Seven Oaks Hospital, Occupational Therapy, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. 6. Registered Dietician, Seven Oaks Hospital, Clinical Nutrition, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. 7. Continuing Education Instructor, Seven Oaks Hospital, Critical Care, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. 8. Program Care Team Manager, Seven Oaks Hospital, Renal Health, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. 9. Associate Professor, University of Manitoba, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, College of Nursing, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. 10. Xi Lambda, Registered Nurse, Health Sciences Centre, Central Support Services, Surgical Relief Team, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In 2013, an observational survey was conducted among 242 in-patients in a community hospital with a pressure ulcer (PU) prevalence of 34.3%. An evidence-based pressure ulcer prevention program (PUPP) was then implemented including a staff awareness campaign entitled "Healthy Skin Wins" with an online tutorial about PU prevention. AIMS: To determine the effectiveness of the PUPP in reducing the prevalence of PUs, to determine the effectiveness of the online tutorial in increasing hospital staff's knowledge level about PU prevention, and to explore frontline staff's perspectives of the PUPP. METHODS: This was a mixed methods study. A repeat observational survey discerned if the PUPP reduced PU prevalence. A pre-test post-test design was used to determine whether hospital staff's knowledge of PU prevention was enhanced by the online tutorial. Qualitative interviews were conducted with nurses, allied health professionals, and health care aides to explore staff's perspectives of the PUPP. RESULTS: A comparison of initial and repeat observational surveys (n = 239) identified a statistically significant reduction in the prevalence of PU to 7.53% (p < .001). The online tutorial enhanced staff knowledge level with a statistically significantly higher mean post-test score (n = 80). Thirty-five frontline staff shared their perspectives of the PUPP with "it's definitely a combination of everything" and "there's a disconnect between what's needed and what's available" as the main themes. CONCLUSIONS: Incorporating evidence-based PU prevention into clinical practice greatly reduced the prevalence of PUs among hospital in-patients. Due to the small sample size for the pre-test post-test component, the effectiveness of the online tutorial in improving the knowledge level of PU prevention among hospital staff requires further research. LINKING EVIDENCE TO ACTION: Evidence-based PU prevention strategies are facilitated by using a multidisciplinary approach. Educational tools about PU prevention must target all members of the healthcare team including healthcare aides, patients and families.
BACKGROUND: In 2013, an observational survey was conducted among 242 in-patients in a community hospital with a pressure ulcer (PU) prevalence of 34.3%. An evidence-based pressure ulcer prevention program (PUPP) was then implemented including a staff awareness campaign entitled "Healthy Skin Wins" with an online tutorial about PU prevention. AIMS: To determine the effectiveness of the PUPP in reducing the prevalence of PUs, to determine the effectiveness of the online tutorial in increasing hospital staff's knowledge level about PU prevention, and to explore frontline staff's perspectives of the PUPP. METHODS: This was a mixed methods study. A repeat observational survey discerned if the PUPP reduced PU prevalence. A pre-test post-test design was used to determine whether hospital staff's knowledge of PU prevention was enhanced by the online tutorial. Qualitative interviews were conducted with nurses, allied health professionals, and health care aides to explore staff's perspectives of the PUPP. RESULTS: A comparison of initial and repeat observational surveys (n = 239) identified a statistically significant reduction in the prevalence of PU to 7.53% (p < .001). The online tutorial enhanced staff knowledge level with a statistically significantly higher mean post-test score (n = 80). Thirty-five frontline staff shared their perspectives of the PUPP with "it's definitely a combination of everything" and "there's a disconnect between what's needed and what's available" as the main themes. CONCLUSIONS: Incorporating evidence-based PU prevention into clinical practice greatly reduced the prevalence of PUs among hospital in-patients. Due to the small sample size for the pre-test post-test component, the effectiveness of the online tutorial in improving the knowledge level of PU prevention among hospital staff requires further research. LINKING EVIDENCE TO ACTION: Evidence-based PU prevention strategies are facilitated by using a multidisciplinary approach. Educational tools about PU prevention must target all members of the healthcare team including healthcare aides, patients and families.