Baernholdt, M., Yan, G., Hinton, I. D., Cramer, E., & Dunton, N. (2020). Effect of preventive care interventions on pressure ulcer rates in a national sample of rural and urban nursing units: Longitudinal associations over 4 years. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 105.
Baernholdt et al. (2020) conducted a longitudinal study analyzing the impact of preventive care interventions on pressure ulcer rates in rural and urban nursing units over 4 years. They examined whether associations between interventions and ulcer rates persisted over time, while accounting for community, hospital, and nursing unit characteristics. Using data from the National Database of Nursing Quality IndicatorsⓇ, augmented with rural classifications and case mix index, they analyzed 5761 units from 772 hospitals.
Results showed that increased implementation of care interventions, a higher registered nurse (RN) skill mix, and positive nurse outcomes were associated with lower pressure ulcer rates. For instance, a 10% increase in certain interventions led to notable decreases in ulcer odds, especially in rural units. The study highlights the importance of supportive organizational structures to enhance care interventions and prevent pressure ulcers. It suggests improving workflow and nurse staffing to enhance patient outcomes, offering valuable insights for quality improvement initiatives in nursing practice, particularly in rural and urban hospitals.
Cifuentes Rodríguez, J. E., & Guerrero Gamboa, S. (2020). Nursing interventions aimed at persons with venous ulcers: An integrative review. Aquichan, 20(1), 1–14.
“Nursing Interventions for Venous Ulcers: Integrative Review” by Cifuentes Rodriguez and Guerrero Gamboa (2020) conducted a review to identify nursing interventions for venous ulcers. Sixteen articles from 2000 to 2018 were analyzed. Most interventions were educational, with some following the Leg Club model in community settings. They were typically delivered face-to-face by professional nurses for at least eight weeks, with phone follow-ups.
The main outcomes focused on ulcer healing and reduction in wound area. The review highlighted diversity in intervention components and outcomes, stressing the need for standardized reporting and for integrating nursing theories into intervention design. This study enhances understanding of effective nursing interventions for venous ulcers, offering insights to enhance patient care and outcomes in clinical practice.
Engelen, M., van Dulmen, S., Vermeulen, H., de Laat, E., & van Gaal, B. (2021). The content and effectiveness of self-management support interventions for people at risk of pressure ulcers: A systematic review. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 122.
Engelen et al. (2021) conducted a systematic review to assess self-management support interventions for individuals at risk of pressure ulcers. They identified 16 relevant studies from January 2000 to February 2020 across five databases. These interventions mainly focused on providing information about the condition and management, practical self-management activities training, and psychological strategies.
While some studies showed improvements in clinical and behavioral outcomes, intervention intensity and extensiveness appeared to impact effectiveness. However, specific content components need further investigation. The findings highlight the potential of these interventions in pressure ulcer prevention, emphasizing the necessity for standardized intervention strategies and consensus on patient-relevant outcomes. This study provides valuable insights into enhancing self-management skills among at-risk individuals, thus improving quality of life and preventing pressure ulcers.
Hill, J. E., Edney, S., Hamer, O., Williams, A., & Harris, C. (2022). Interventions for the treatment and prevention of pressure ulcers. British Journal of Community Nursing, 27.
Hill et al. (2022) embarked on an exploration of interventions to address pressure ulcers, recognizing their profound ramifications for individuals’ well-being and the considerable burden they place on healthcare infrastructure worldwide. Despite their largely preventable nature, pressure ulcers remain a prevalent concern, requiring significant attention and resources for prevention and treatment. The study highlights the prevailing uncertainty surrounding the effectiveness of various preventive and therapeutic measures endorsed by National Clinical Guidelines.
By combining findings from 15 Cochrane reviews within the context of a preceding umbrella review, the authors aim to present a comprehensive overview that integrates evidence-based insights with clinical utility. This endeavor is a valuable asset for healthcare practitioners and policymakers confronting the complexities of pressure ulcer management, offering crucial insights to inform decision-making that enhances patient care and outcomes.
Monaco, D., Iovino, P., Lommi, M., Marano, G., Zaghini, F., Vellone, E., Alvaro, R., & Sili, A. (2020). Outcomes of wound care nurses’ practice in patients with pressure ulcers: An integrative review. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 30(3-4), 372–384.
Monaco et al. (2020) carried out an integrative review examining patient outcomes associated with wound care nurses’ management of pressure ulcers. Using a modified Cooper’s five-step methodology and following PRISMA guidelines, the authors systematically searched databases for relevant studies. Out of 439 publications, 13 met the inclusion criteria. Most assessed outcomes were pressure ulcer incidence, healing rate, and time to heal, with fewer considering changes in ulcer stage, fully healed wounds, treatment costs, and physical discomfort. Patient-reported outcomes were absent.
The review highlights the predominance of clinical outcomes, underscoring the need for a broader assessment that includes subjective parameters such as pain and quality of life. Despite promising evidence of positive health and economic impacts, rigorous research is needed to bolster support for investing in wound care nurses. This study stresses the importance of expanding outcome assessments to fully comprehend wound care nursing’s impact on pressure ulcer patients.