Pressure Ulcer Prevention

Capstone Project Milestone # 4: Pressure Ulcer Prevention
Introduction
Pressure ulcers continue to be a prevalent issue in the health care system and causes “pain, slow recovery from morbid conditions, infection and death” (Kwong, Pang, Aboo, & Law, 2009, p. 2609). In the field of nursing turning and repositioning patients is a well-known nursing intervention to prevent development of pressure ulcers. However, many hospitals and facilities still neglect to apply this as a standard policy. This gives room for nurses and nursing aides to overlook the importance of this intervention resulting in increased pressure ulcer development. The purpose of turning and repositioning patients is to prevent oxygen
There is an ongoing debate on the frequency and exact method of repositioning. The Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, supports turning and repositioning every two hours for the patients requiring assistance. Vanderwee, De, Defloor, & Grypdonck (2007) states that “the time between the causation and external appearance of a pressure ulcer can be 3 days”. The study goes on to emphasize the importance of turning and repositioning every two hours, especially for those without a pressure-reducing mattress. The Braden scale is one of the best-known and most widely used tools for evaluating risk for pressure ulcers. This tool is being used at both acute and long-term care settings. By using this tool and providing appropriate nursing interventions, it will help decrease the number of new pressure ulcer developments. Standardizing turn and reposition hold nurses accountable to provide the best nursing care and judgment.
Conclusion
Pressure ulcers continue to be a prevalent issue in the health care system. Pressure ulcers not only cause pain but can also prolong hospital stay for many patients. Researchers have repeatedly shown that turning and repositioning are the most important and effective measures for preventing pressure ulcers. The Braden scale helps identify those at risk and by mandating a turn and reposition schedule, it will help prevent new development of pressure ulcers.