Nurses’ Knowledge and Practice on Pressure Ulcer Prevention and Management for Hospitalized Patients at Tertiary Level Hospital

Background: Pressure ulcers are areas of localized injury to the skin, underlying tissue or both, usually over a bony prominence, as a result of pressure or in combination with shear. There are common problem in health care and represent a significant burden on patients, their relatives and caregivers. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive cross sectional study carried out to assess the level of nurses’ knowledge and practice on pressure ulcer prevention and management for hospitalized patients in DMCH & ShSMCH from January to December 2019. A total of 310 respondents (Senior Staff Nurse) were taken conveniently as sample. Relevant data were collected by using pre tested semi-structured questionnaire, an observation checklist was also utilized for physical verification and record keeping. Results: Findings represent that mean age of the respondents were 34±6.94 years. Among the respondents’ 85% were female, 73% of the respondents were Muslim, 72% respondents completed Diploma in Nursing, 54% respondents working experience in hospital is 5 years. About 71% mentioned high loading pressure main factor is responsible for formation of pressure ulcer, highest (60%) mentioned lower back/buttock is the common site, prolonged immobility (46%) main cause of formation of pressure ulcer. Unconscious patients (40%) mostly affected by pressure ulcer, partial skin loss, redness of the skin, blister (66%) are the sign of pressure ulcer, apply talcum powder (52%) appropriate method for skin care of pressure ulcer patients. In-service training on pressure ulcer prevention (86%) enhances competency of staff nurses in preventing pressure ulcer. Performing skin care as a routine work of the unit (90.9%), giving advice to the caregiver regarding pressure ulcer preventive before discharge the patients from a hospital (81.3%). About 55% had satisfactory knowledge, professional education and overall knowledge had strong association. Another also found between working experience and knowledge on common site of pressure ulcer. Highest (77%) had sometimes practice to prevent pressure ulcer. Another association also found between working experience and practice on prevention of pressure ulcer. Here p value is less than .05 that is .024. Conclusion: It was concluded that in-service training on pressure ulcer and set up pressure ulcer prevention protocol, are some of the important steps to improve nurses' knowledge and practice regarding prevention and management of pressure ulcer.