Question

a brief description of the four nursing homes you selected from your community and/or neighboring communities. Compare these four nursing homes based on the reported cases of new pressure ulcers. Then, explain factors in the nursing home setting that might contribute to incidence of pressure ulcer issues. Finally, based on guidelines for the prevention of pressure ulcers, explain how you might increase awareness among nursing home staff about the incidence and consequences of pressure ulcers in patients

Answer 1

Pressure ulcer of each nursing homes is calculated based on the total number of inpatients who developed pressure ulcers and is divided by 1000 patients days. The highest incidence rate is 5% and the least is 1%. The average overall rate is 1.8%. As a result, the cost of the Nursing homes has been increased due to the withdrawn reimbursement as a result of hospital-acquired infection. The pressure ulcer rate was increased with the length of stay of inpatients in the hospitals.

When analyzing the factors, the age is the main risk factor that contributes to the development of new pressure ulcers in the in-patients. Pressure ulcers is more commonly seen in patients above 80 years. Malnutrition, immobility, chronic diseases, are other factors. Low protein and albumin, anemia are other predisposing factors for pressure ulcers.

The important guideline in the prevention of pressure ulcer is the risk assessment. The Nursing staff should identify the risk patients by Pressure ulcer Risk Screening Scramble To assess the mobility status, nutritional status, age, type of skin, and level of consciousness. The wound care manager should also assess the patients within the seven days of admission. The nurse should develop a pressure ulcer prevention plan. Based on this, the nursing staff has to implement the plan and reassess the patient after monitoring. The Nursing home has to reevaluate for pressure ulcer incidence rate periodically. The pressure ulcer rescreening should be done within 48hrs of ICU admission.

The Nurses play an important role in the prevention of pressure ulcers. Most of the pressure ulcers are preventable if properly assessed and identified earlier. Make awareness of the Nursing staff about the skin changes, moisture level, shear and friction level. Provide support and special care to the bony prominence. Change of position frequently in case of immbolized patients. The nurse should educate the patient at risk for pressure ulcer and encourage them to mobilize. Routine skin inspection and moisturizing the skin using cream prevents skin damage. The nurse should also consider that the adequate nutrition and fluid intake are maintained. The staff should have enough knowledge about pressure ulcer and they have to be updated and educated periodically.