Background.  In the Netherlands much attention has been paid to pressure ulcer prevention. National guidelines on pressure ulcer prevention were developed in 1985 and adapted in 1992 at the request of a national organization for quality assurance in health care. Several studies indicate that nurses seem to be insufficiently informed about pressure ulcer preventive activities. There is, however, no information available about the reasons why nurses seem to be insufficiently informed. Aims and objectives.  This study was planned to elucidate the views and beliefs of health care workers (especially enrolled nurses) in Dutch nursing homes about pressure ulcer prevention and about issues related with pressure ulcer prevention. Design.  A qualitative study with semi‐structured, tape‐recorded interviews. Method.  Interviews were conducted with enrolled nurses, team leaders, head nurses, staff nurses and physicians. The interviews were coded and analysed. Results.  Analysis of the interviews revealed that today's pressure ulcer preventive activities are very much based on old traditions in nursing. It also showed that enrolled nurses have no intention to change the care they deliver with regard to pressure ulcer prevention. Conclusions.  It is concluded that a systematic approach is necessary to change nursing thinking and acting with regard to pressure ulcer prevention. Relevance to clinical practice.  This study gives an overview of the views and beliefs of health care workers (especially enrolled nurses) in Dutch nursing homes about pressure ulcer prevention. These views and beliefs can be used as a starting point for effective implementation of guidelines regarding the prevention of pressure ulcers.

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The prevention of pressure sores is a major concern of rehabilitation nurses. Through the years, several methods have been used to prevent pressure sores. One of the most commonly used methods is massage of bony prominences and pressure areas. However, according to most contemporary clinical guidelines, massage should be avoided. This article analyzes the extent to which these guidelines are based on research findings through a literature review on the effectiveness of massage in the prevention of pressure sores. The results of the studies that were analyzed led to the conclusion that massage as therapy for preventing pressure sores in subjects at risk for developing them is not recommended.

This review analyzed 17 studies to establish the repositioning time interval that is most effective in preventing pressure sores in at‐risk individuals. Because the studies did not provide strong evidence to support any specific time interval, we suggest that the commonly recommended 2‐hour interval be the starting point for individual turning schedules. The 2‐hour interval should be shortened or expanded according to each individual's susceptibility to pressure sores.