A Dire Need for Good Science, Research Paper Example

Introduction

The prevention of pressure ulcers is a challenging issue that nurses must address, using evidence-based practice as a guide in supporting protocols to accomplish this objective. This requires a coordinated strategy that will be effective in promoting patient safety for the patients who are at risk, advancing a prevention strategy that involves evidence-based protocols for improvement and skin preservation, and improving a patient’s physiological and psychological profile with the chosen protocol in place. The purpose of this discussion is to address the risks associated with pressure ulcers and how to promote prevention of these ulcers in hospitals and in long-term care facilities, using techniques proven through evidence-based practice as a guide.

Body

Older adults and other patients who are confined to a bed for lengthy periods of time due to disease or illness may face a greater risk of developing pressure ulcers, particularly if they are immobile. Therefore, the risk of skin breakdown is much higher and requires nurses to develop and implement protocols on a regular basis that will be effective in meeting the needs of this patient population. Evidence-based approaches to addressing the needs of these patients are critical in expanding preventive efforts and to minimize the damage that may be incurred by patients. When patients experience pressure ulcers, their health is further compromised beyond its current state, which may be detrimental for their overall wellbeing and quality of life. Therefore, nursing-based protocols must be grounded in prior evidence in order to demonstrate a successful set of methods to prevent pressure ulcer formation in at risk patients, such as mattresses to reduce pressure and repositioning in order to prevent ulcer formation (Sving, Idvall, Hogberg, & Gunningberg, 2014).

Patients who are at risk for pressure ulcer formation often lack control over their own care; therefore, they are unable to make decisions that may result in reduced risk and prevention (Black, 2015). There must be a greater emphasis on developing a strategy to accommodate patient needs and to prevent pressure ulcers that supports optimal protection of the skin over time (Black, 2015). The concept of risk assessment has been proven to be critical in this process yet less effective than other strategies, advanced static mattresses are an improved approach, while alternating-air mattresses have been proven to be an even more effective strategy that is likely to benefit these patients (Qaseem, Mir, Starkey, & Denberg, 2015). Therefore, different options are available to support pressure ulcer prevention, while also considering the impact of these tools in executing strategies at the nursing level to improve quality of care.

The use of evidence-based data represents an opportunity to explore the different dimensions of care and treatment that impact patients, thereby creating an environment in which patient care outcomes are likely to occur at a high level. Nonetheless, the appropriate evidence must be considered in order to address the problem of pressure ulcers, using the tools and resources that have been established in prior evidence in this regard. Nurses might benefit from considering a combination of early risk assessment upon admission to the hospital or long-term care facility, accompanied by the use of alternating air mattresses and expanding patient mobility to prevent pressure ulcer formation and an increased risk of skin breakdown. This process reflects a need to explore the options that are available for patients when the risks associated with pressure ulcer formation are very high. It is believed that these tools will be employed in a manner that will be consistent in treating patients at risk for pressure ulcers and providing them with the tools and resources that are required to improve their health and wellbeing without having to address these risks.

References

Black, J. (2015). Pressure Ulcer Prevention and Management: A Dire Need for Good Science. Annals of internal medicine, 162(5), 387-388.

Qaseem, A., Mir, T. P., Starkey, M., & Denberg, T. D. (2015). Risk assessment and prevention of pressure ulcers: a clinical practice guideline from the American College of Physicians. Annals of Internal Medicine, 162(5), 359-369.

Sving, E., Idvall, E., Högberg, H., & Gunningberg, L. (2014). Factors contributing to evidence- based pressure ulcer prevention. A cross-sectional study. International journal of nursing studies, 51(5), 717-725.