The role of patients in pressure injury prevention: a survey of acute care patients

Abstract

BackgroundPressure injury prevention (PIP) is an important area of patient safety. Encouraging patient participation in care is a growing trend in healthcare as it can increase adherence to treatment plans and improve outcomes. Patients in acute care settings may be able to take on an active role in PIP. However, there is limited information on patients’ views of their perceived role in PIP. The aims of our study were to survey hospitalised patients’ views on a) their perceived roles in PIP and, b) factors that enable or inhibit patient participation in PIP strategies.MethodsEligible participants were 18 years of age or older, from a neurology or orthopaedic ward and had been admitted to hospital at least 24 hours prior to enrolment in the study. A questionnaire comprising of fixed and open-ended responses was administered by researchers to participants. Numerical data was analysed descriptively and free-text comments were content-analysed and grouped into themes.ResultsThe mean age of participants (n = 51) was 65 years (sd = 16.6); over half were female and three quarters were orthopaedic surgical patients. Eighty-six per cent of participants understood the concept of pressure injury and 80% agreed that patients have a role in PIP. Participants nominated the following PIP strategies that could be undertaken by patients: Keep skin healthy; Listen to your body and Looking after the inside. Strategies required for patient participation in PIP were represented by three themes: Manage pain and discomfort; Work together; Ongoing PI education.ConclusionTo ensure successful participation in PIP, patients require education throughout admission, management of pain and discomfort and a supportive and collaborative relationship with health care staff. Health professionals should identify patient ability and motivation to prevent pressure injury (PI), work in partnership with patients to adhere to PIP, and ensure that PIP actions are facilitated with appropriate pain relief.

Patient education materials on pressure injury prevention in hospitals and health services in Victoria, Australia: Availability and content analysis

“…Prevention of PIs is a cost‐effective approach for reducing HAPIs and improving patient outcomes . Prevention relies on patient engagement in care, which relies on their knowledge of PI risks and preventive strategies . This research suggests there is a deficit of uniform, high quality, patient education materials on prevention and management of PIs on hospital websites in Victoria, Australia.…”

“…This research suggests there is a deficit of uniform, high quality, patient education materials on prevention and management of PIs on hospital websites in Victoria, Australia. In the context of a patient‐centred model that requires self‐care, this lack of information likely translates to suboptimal outcomes, including higher rates of PIs and longer hospital stay. There is a need for evidence‐based consumer‐endorsed uniform materials on PI prevention and management to be available on all hospital websites.…”

“…37 The role of education tools is an important consideration in efforts to improve health literacy. Educating and involving patients in prevention and management of PIs has been identified as being important in clinical settings in Australia, 33,38,39 the United Kingdom, 40 the United States, 41,42 and other countries. 43,44 In Australia, the content and frequency of consumer education for sustained knowledge and best practices in prevention and management of PIs were included in a list of priority issues 45 with patients themselves expressing the need for ongoing education on PI prevention.…”

“…An area that has not been fully explored, however, is the role of the patients in optimising the management and prevention of PIs . Two Australian studies reported patient's preference for taking a proactive role in PI prevention and the need for ongoing PI education and dialogue with nurses about PI prevention. In general, improved health literacy enables patients to feel included in their health plan and gives autonomy over their health .…”

“…The role of education tools is an important consideration in efforts to improve health literacy. Educating and involving patients in prevention and management of PIs has been identified as being important in clinical settings in Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, and other countries …”