Kim Usher1, Cindy Woods2, Janie Brown3, Tamara Power4, Jackie Lea5, Marie Hutchinson6, Carey Mather7, Andrea Miller7, Annette Saunders7, Jane Mills8, Lin Zhao9, Karen Yates10, Marie Bodak11, Joanne Southern10, Debra Jackson12. 1. School of Health, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, 2351, Australia; Oxford Institute of Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Research (OxINMAHR), Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK. 2. School of Health, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, 2351, Australia. Electronic address: cwood30@une.edu.au. 3. School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine, Curtin University, Perth, WA, 6102, Australia. 4. Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia. 5. School of Health, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, 2351, Australia. 6. School of Health and Human Sciences, Southern Cross University, Coffs Harbour, NSW, 2450, Australia. 7. School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS, 7250, Australia. 8. College of Health, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand. 9. Discipline of Nursing, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT, Victoria, 3083, Australia. 10. College of Healthcare Sciences, Nursing, Midwifery and Nutrition, James Cook University, QLD, Australia. 11. College of Healthcare Sciences, Nursing, Midwifery and Nutrition, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia. 12. School of Health, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, 2351, Australia; Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia; Oxford Institute of Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Research (OxINMAHR), Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK.
Abstract
AIM: The aim of this study was to assess student nurses' knowledge of and attitudes towards pressure injury prevention evidence-based guidelines. BACKGROUND: Pressure injuries are a substantial problem in many healthcare settings causing major harm to patients, and generating major economic costs for health service providers. Nurses have a crucial role in the prevention of pressure injuries across all health care settings. DESIGN: A multi-centered, cross-sectional study was conducted using a paper-based questionnaire with undergraduate nursing students enrolled in seven universities with campuses across five Australian states (Queensland, New South Wales, Western Australia, Victoria and Tasmania). METHODS: Data were collected from nursing students using two validated instruments (Pressure Ulcer Knowledge Assessment Instrument and Attitude Toward Pressure Ulcer Prevention Instrument), to measure students' pressure injury prevention knowledge and attitudes. RESULTS: Students reported relatively low pressure injury prevention knowledge scores (51%), and high attitude scores (78%). Critical issues in this study were nursing students' lack of knowledge about preventative strategies to reduce the amount and duration of pressure/shear, and lower confidence in their capability to prevent pressure injury. Level of education and exposure to working in a greater number of different clinical units were significantly related to pressure injury prevention knowledge and attitude scores. CONCLUSION: The study findings highlight the need to implement a comprehensive approach to increasing Australian nursing students' pressure injury prevention and management knowledge, as well as ensuring that these students have adequate experiences in clinical units, with a high focus on pressure injury prevention to raise their personal capability.
AIM: The aim of this study was to assess student nurses' knowledge of and attitudes towards pressure injury prevention evidence-based guidelines. BACKGROUND: Pressure injuries are a substantial problem in many healthcare settings causing major harm to patients, and generating major economic costs for health service providers. Nurses have a crucial role in the prevention of pressure injuries across all health care settings. DESIGN: A multi-centered, cross-sectional study was conducted using a paper-based questionnaire with undergraduate nursing students enrolled in seven universities with campuses across five Australian states (Queensland, New South Wales, Western Australia, Victoria and Tasmania). METHODS: Data were collected from nursing students using two validated instruments (Pressure Ulcer Knowledge Assessment Instrument and Attitude Toward Pressure Ulcer Prevention Instrument), to measure students' pressure injury prevention knowledge and attitudes. RESULTS: Students reported relatively low pressure injury prevention knowledge scores (51%), and high attitude scores (78%). Critical issues in this study were nursing students' lack of knowledge about preventative strategies to reduce the amount and duration of pressure/shear, and lower confidence in their capability to prevent pressure injury. Level of education and exposure to working in a greater number of different clinical units were significantly related to pressure injury prevention knowledge and attitude scores. CONCLUSION: The study findings highlight the need to implement a comprehensive approach to increasing Australian nursing students' pressure injury prevention and management knowledge, as well as ensuring that these students have adequate experiences in clinical units, with a high focus on pressure injury prevention to raise their personal capability.