Nursing Intervention
In 75 years, elderly patients with a high risk of pressure ulcers, is the use of pressure mattress on admission more effective compared to non-usage within three months of hospitalization.
Nursing Intervention
According to Moore et al. (2017), pressure ulcers can be described as bed wounds, pressure injuries, or pressure sores. They are injuries to a patient skin or the underlying tissues covering a bony structure caused by persistent pressure over the body or tissue area. Research has shown that these injuries’ prevalence levels have been alarming and a costly concern to most countries’ health care systems. For instance, Moore indicates that 14% of Europe’s health care budget is consumed in the treatment of Pressure ulcers. A more serious concern is the readmission cases, mortality rate, and increased length of hospital admission for such patients. It is estimated that 15% of all health care activities and expenditures have a direct connection to an adverse effect. However, according to Marvis & Phillips (2019), most cases can be avoided or prevented by effectively deploying prevention strategies, including suitable support surfaces like pressure mattresses, repositioning, and moisture management. The primary intervention measure in this study will be the use of pressure mattresses to prevent pressure ulcers after admission compared to where there is no use of standard beds.
Clinical Problem
According to Tingle (2016), the problem of patient safety, especially avoidable instances such as pressure ulcers, is due to inadequate prevention measures. Pressure ulcers not only cause severe harm to patients but also lead to death. However, alarming evidence from research shows that 80 to 95 % of these statistical injuries and deaths can be avoided (Tingle, 2016). In curbing the situation, actions must be taken immediately after a patient arrives at a health facility to prevent any possibility of developing pressure ulcers or any further harm to any existing ulcer. To achieve this, the nurse first identifies patients at risk, including the elderly, those with underlying conditions, and people with malnutrition problems or end-of-life cycle (Tingle, 2016).
The Picot Problem
While there are many intervention and management methods for pressure ulcers, their effectiveness varies. Some studies such as the one by Shi, Dumville & Cullum (2018) that undertake a comparison of pressure mattresses, nutrition, or moisturization present some methods’ effectiveness margin. The findings from this research indicate that pressure-powered surfaces reduce the incidence of pressure ulcers but had some uncomfortable feeling compared to standard beds. Nevertheless, from the perspective presented by Tingle (2016), deploying these prevention measures immediately when the patients are admitted to the hospital considerably reduces any further injuries or development of pressure ulcers.
Argument
A logical explanation of the pressure mattresses’ effectiveness compared to non-usage is shown through the management and prevention of pressure ulcers, especially for the vulnerable groups, including the elderly and those at high risk. Several groups, including The European Wound Management Association (EWMA) and the European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (EPUAP), have reiterated the need to reduce pressure ulcer cases and ensure patient safety by coming together to establish better management methods. The recognition of the problem’s prevalence from a global perspective underlines the importance of managing the issue immediately as a patient is admitted to reducing any more complications. From 65 reviews included in the Shi, Dumville & Cullum (2018) examination, it was established that there was an average certainty of evidence to show that powered active air surface, as well as hybrid surfaces, reduced the ulcers incidence as opposed to standard hospital surface. Therefore, it is logical to conclude that pressure mattresses as an intervention method are more effective than traditional beds.