From: Knowledge of pressure ulcer prevention: a cross-sectional and comparative study among nurses
 | 2003 (n = 522) | 1991 (n = 351) |  | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
USEFUL PREVENTIVE MEASURES | Useful | Some-times | Not useful | Don't know | Useful | Some-times | Not useful | Don't know | p-value |
Preventing maceration of the skin | 90.4 | 9.0 | 0.0 | 0.6 | 89.1 | 9.7 | 0.3 | 0.9 | 0.58 |
Ensuring a clean, dry and square lower layer of bedclothes | 98.5 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 99.7 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.05 |
Helping non-bedridden patients lift up or assume a different position | 73.6 | 23.1 | 1.2 | 2.1 | 62.1 | 29.6 | 3.7 | 4.6 | 0.00* |
Involving patients in prevention | 79.7 | 20.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 58.0 | 40.3 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 0.00* |
Assessing risk by means of an instrument and clinical judgment | 92.5 | 6.7 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 36.9 | 35.1 | 7.7 | 20.3 | 0.00* |
Using air mattresses and pillows | 68.1 | 28.6 | 1.2 | 2.1 | 43.6 | 49.9 | 3.7 | 2.8 | 0.00* |
Using viscoelastic (foam) mattresses and pillows | 35.0 | 33.1 | 3.5 | 28.3 | 21.4 | 48.0 | 13.1 | 17.4 | 0.00* |
Smearing the skin with topical agents to prevent dehydration | 36.1 | 43.6 | 13.7 | 6.6 | 60.0 | 33.4 | 3.4 | 3.1 | 0.44 |
Involving family/friends/caregivers in prevention | 65.1 | 34.0 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 26.2 | 63.5 | 5.4 | 4.8 | 0.75 |
Assessing nutritional state and preventing nutritional deficiency | 94.3 | 5.6 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 86.9 | 12.5 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.00* |
Ensuring good hygiene | 98.1 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 99.7 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.06 |
Using a 30-degree side to side turn at least every 4 hours | 48.9 | 42.0 | 7.1 | 1.9 | - | - | - | - | - |
Avoiding contact of the heels with the lower layer by putting a pillow under the lower legs | 40.0 | 44.1 | 12.6 | 3.3 | - | - | - | - | - |
Preventing shear forces | 95.6 | 4.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | - | - | - | - | - |
Smearing the skin with topical agents in case of urine and/or faeces incontinence | 52.0 | 37.4 | 6.7 | 3.8 | - | - | - | - | - |
Mean number of measures judged correctly | 10.6 of 15 (70.6%) | 7.2 of 11 (65.4%) | 0.00* | ||||||
σ and range | 2.11; 2–15 | 1.49; 3–11 |  | ||||||
% having sufficient knowledge (judged ≥ 70% of measures correct) | 56.6% | 43.0% | 0.00* | ||||||
NON-USEFUL PREVENTIVE MEASURES | Useful | Some-times | Not useful | Don't know | Useful | Some-times | Not useful | Don't know | p-value |
Using a cradle | 14.1 | 71.5 | 10.9 | 3.5 | 4.8 | 79.5 | 8.8 | 6.8 | 0.00* |
Reactivation and mobilisation by paramedics | 76.8 | 22.8 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 52.7 | 45.9 | 0.6 | 0.9 | 0.00* |
Wrapping the heels/elbows in natural cotton wool and bandages | 4.6 | 29.6 | 54.1 | 11.7 | 14.8 | 68.7 | 14.0 | 2.6 | 0.00* |
Using ice compresses | 0.2 | 5.1 | 76.5 | 18.2 | 1.4 | 32.2 | 52.4 | 14.0 | 0.00* |
Using warm compresses | 0.2 | 6.2 | 85.4 | 8.3 | 4.0 | 40.2 | 44.4 | 11.4 | 0.00* |
Massage | 18.3 | 40.0 | 35.6 | 6.2 | 70.5 | 25.5 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 0.00* |
Using water mattresses and pillows | 23.3 | 41.4 | 16.4 | 18.9 | 39.6 | 48.7 | 4.6 | 7.1 | 0.00* |
Using gel mattresses and pillows | 39.2 | 45.5 | 5.2 | 10.2 | 20.6 | 57.3 | 4.9 | 17.2 | 0.00* |
Inserting a catheter to prevent maceration of the skin | 29.2 | 62.3 | 5.0 | 3.5 | 14.0 | 79.8 | 4.6 | 1.7 | 0.77 |
Smearing the skin (with topical agents) to prevent disturbance in blood supply caused by pressure | 19.6 | 34.2 | 35.0 | 11.2 | 69.6 | 21.5 | 3.7 | 5.2 | 0.00* |
Using a 90-degree side to side turn at least every 4 hours | 68.1 | 29.4 | 0.2 | 2.3 | - | - | - | - | - |
Avoiding contact of heels with lower layer by using ring-shaped cushions or gloves filled with water | 10.4 | 38.2 | 42.0 | 9.4 | - | - | - | - | - |
Using a sheepskin | 2.7 | 30.1 | 62.8 | 4.4 | - | - | - | - | - |
Mean number of measures judged correctly | 4.2 of 13 (32.3%) | 3.5 of 10 (35.0%) | 0.00* | ||||||
σ and range | 2.23; 0–10 | 1.60; 0–8 |  | ||||||
% having sufficient knowledge (judged ≥ 70% of measures correct) | 0.2% | 3.1% | 0.00* |