Pressure Ulcers
Instructions
The PICOT Question: In hospitalized patients with limited mobility (P), how does the use of alternating pressure air mattresses (I) compared to no intervention (C) affect the rates of pressure ulcers (O) within six months (T)?
Describe the techniques (measures/ tools/ instruments) you would use to collect your data.
Solution
This study will involve several tools or instruments of data collection to ensure reliable results. The Karnofsky score will be used to assess the patient’s ability to move (Sauvage et al., 2017). It is widely used to assess patients’ performance in ADLs. A health professional based on certain criteria subjectively assigns the scoring: 100% means normal and no evidence of disease, and 90% means able to perform normal activities with only minor symptoms. It follows those criteria until 0%, which means one is dead. Sauvage et al. (2017) used this instrument in their study to assess mobility. The Braden score is the second tool that will be used to assess the level of risk of pressure ulcers.
Braden scale consists of six subscales and the total scores range from 6 to 23. A lower Braden score indicates higher levels of risk for pressure ulcer development. Jackson/Cubbin’s (mJ/C) risk scale can also be used to assess the risk of pressure ulcers (PU) (Ahtiala et al., 2018). This instrument is a PU risk calculator that consists of 12 categories that are graded from 1 (highest risk) to 4 (lowest risk). The maximum score is 48 and the e lower the score, the higher the risk of pressure ulcers.
The PU risk assessment can be done weekly. A satisfaction questionnaire will be essential to assess the perception of patients’ comfort using mattresses (Sauvage et al., 2017). Furthermore, electronic health records will be an essential instrument to collect information related to prevalence. Electronic health records will indicate whether the PU rates have reduced (Ahtiala et al., 2018). Therefore, these tools will be essential in conducting the proposed research study.
References
Ahtiala, M., Kivimäki, R., & Soppi, E. (2018). Characteristics of intensive care unit (ICU) patients with pressure ulcers present on admission, acquired in ICU or no ulceration: a retrospective cohort study. Wounds International, 9(1), 11-17. https://www.woundsme.com/uploads/resources/88d55d4593f271bdbecb5d6f2e5e5553.pdf
Sauvage, P., Touflet, M., Pradere, C., Portalier, F., Michel, J. M., Charru, P., & Scherrer, B. (2017). Pressure ulcers prevention efficacy of an alternating pressure air mattress in elderly patients: E²MAO a randomised study. Journal of Wound Care, 26(6), 304-312. https://doi.org/10.12968/jowc.2017.26.6.304