Table 3 Knowledge of preventive measures for nurses employed in hospitals participating in the National Prevalence Measurements (NPS) and nurses employed in non-participating organizations (non-NPS) (%)
From: Knowledge of pressure ulcer prevention: a cross-sectional and comparative study among nurses
| Â | NPS (n = 380) | Non NPM (n = 142) | Â | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
USEFUL PREVENTIVE MEASURES | Useful | Some-times | Not useful | Don't know | Useful | Some-times | Not useful | Don't know | p-value |
Prevent maceration of the skin | 92.1 | 7.4 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 85.9 | 13.4 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.05 |
Take care for a clean, dry and square lower layer of bedclothes | 98.4 | 1.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 98.6 | 1.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.73 |
Helping non-bedridden patients lift up or assume a different position | 73.1 | 23.2 | 0.8 | 2.9 | 75.0 | 22.9 | 2.1 | 0.0 | 0.81 |
Involving the patient in prevention | 78.4 | 21.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 83.1 | 16.9 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.23 |
Assessing risk by means of an instrument and clinical judgment | 93.1 | 6.1 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 90.8 | 8.5 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.50 |
Using air mattresses and pillows | 68.9 | 28.2 | 1.1 | 1.8 | 66.2 | 29.6 | 1.4 | 2.8 | 0.58 |
Using visco elastic (foam) mattresses and pillows | 36.1 | 33.2 | 3.8 | 26.9 | 32.1 | 32.9 | 2.9 | 32.1 | 0.47 |
Smearing the skin with topical agents to prevent dehydration | 37.8 | 42.8 | 14.4 | 5.1 | 31.7 | 45.8 | 12.0 | 10.6 | 0.22 |
Involving family/friends/caregivers in prevention | 63.9 | 35.4 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 68.3 | 30.2 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.49 |
Assessing nutritional state and preventing a nutritional deficiency | 94.2 | 5.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 94.4 | 4.9 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.94 |
Ensuring good hygiene | 97.9 | 1.6 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 98.6 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.49 |
Using a 30-degree side to side turn at least every 4 hours | 48.8 | 43.3 | 7.1 | 0.8 | 49.3 | 38.6 | 7.1 | 5.0 | 0.98 |
Avoid contact of the heels with the lower layer by putting a pillow under the lower legs | 42.2 | 43.2 | 11.8 | 2.6 | 33.8 | 46.5 | 14.8 | 4.9 | 0.07 |
Preventing shearing forces | 95.0 | 5.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 97.2 | 2.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.23 |
Smearing the skin with topical agents in case of urine and/or faeces incontinence | 52.2 | 38.3 | 6.6 | 2.9 | 51.4 | 35.2 | 7.0 | 6.3 | 0.88 |
Mean number of measured judged correctly | 10.6 (70.6%) | 10.5 (70.0%) | 0.46 | ||||||
σ and range | 2.19; 2–15 | 1.88; 3–15 |  | ||||||
% having sufficient knowledge (judged ≥ 70% of measures correct) | 58.4% | 51.4% | 0.15 | ||||||
NOT USEFUL PREVENTIVE MEASURES | Useful | Some-times | Not useful | Don't know | Useful | Some-times | Not useful | Don't know | p-value |
Using a cradle | 13.4 | 72.6 | 11.3 | 2.7 | 15.7 | 68.6 | 10.0 | 5.7 | 0.69 |
Reactivation and mobilisation by paramedics | 74.9 | 24.5 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 81.7 | 18.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.54 |
Wrapping the heels/elbows in natural cotton wool and bandages | 4.5 | 30.1 | 54.9 | 10.6 | 4.9 | 28.2 | 52.1 | 14.8 | 0.59 |
Using ice compresses | 0.3 | 4.6 | 79.0 | 16.1 | 0.0 | 6.5 | 69.8 | 23.7 | 0.03 |
Using warm compresses | 0.0 | 5.0 | 87.5 | 7.4 | 0.7 | 9.2 | 79.6 | 10.6 | 0.03 |
Massage | 19.2 | 41.3 | 33.7 | 5.8 | 15.7 | 36.4 | 40.7 | 7.1 | 0.17 |
Using water mattresses and pillows | 22.2 | 41.8 | 18.3 | 17.7 | 26.2 | 40.4 | 11.3 | 22.0 | 0.05 |
Using gel mattresses and pillows | 39.3 | 45.6 | 6.1 | 9.0 | 38.7 | 45.1 | 2.8 | 13.4 | 0.13 |
Inserting a catheter to prevent maceration of the skin | 30.5 | 62.6 | 4.8 | 2.1 | 25.7 | 61.4 | 5.7 | 7.1 | 0.67 |
Smearing the skin (with topical agents) to prevent disturbance in blood supply caused by pressure | 21.4 | 33.6 | 35.4 | 9.5 | 14.8 | 35.9 | 33.8 | 15.5 | 0.75 |
Using a 90-degree side to side turn at least every 4 hours | 67.6 | 30.8 | 0.3 | 1.3 | 69.3 | 25.7 | 0.0 | 5.0 | 0.54 |
Avoid contact of heels with lower layer by using ring-shaped cushions or gloves filled with water | 10.8 | 35.4 | 44.3 | 9.5 | 9.2 | 45.8 | 35.9 | 9.2 | 0.08 |
Using a sheepskin | 2.9 | 28.2 | 64.1 | 4.7 | 2.1 | 35.2 | 59.2 | 3.5 | 0.31 |
Mean number of measured judged correctly | 4.3 (33.0%) | 3.9 (30.0%) | 0.10 | ||||||
σ and range | 2.14; 0–10 | 2.44; 0–9 |  | ||||||
% having sufficient knowledge (judged ≥ 70% of measures correct) | 0.3% | 0.0% | 0.54 | ||||||