The risk of developing pressure ulcers in patients remains one of the most important problems that healthcare specialists in emergency departments face during their practice. A bed ulcer occurs due to constant pressure on a certain part of the body. The significance of the problem cannot be overstated as pressure ulcers involve numerous complications reducing the quality of life of patients as they cause damage to muscles and bones.
Also, pressure ulcers may require surgical treatment that causes additional stress to patients. The issue requires additional research as numerous interventions are quite costly even though they do not guarantee positive outcomes for all patients (Whitty et al., 2017).
As for the aspect of practice that needs improvement, the planned research is supposed to expand the knowledge concerning the practical effectiveness of pressure ulcer protocols for patients who are at an increased risk for pressure ulcers. In particular, the proposed research aims to evaluate the effects of a pressure ulcer protocol initiated in an emergency department. The group of patients at high risk of developing pressure ulcers includes individuals whose mobility is limited due to various musculoskeletal disorders, physical disabilities, and traumas such as fractures (Coleman et al., 2013).
Also, among patients at risk, some individuals do not eat enough food rich in proteins, have skin problems, and receive nursing care of inappropriate quality. As for the improved outcomes expected to be achieved, the research will help assess the effectiveness of a pressure ulcer protocol for the patients in an emergency department and the patients receiving usual care. Therefore, the project is expected to help healthcare specialists to define the circumstances under which such protocols are the most effective for patients with increased risk of pressure ulcers.
The PICOT question: In patients that are identified as high risk for developing a pressure ulcer (P), does the implementation of a pressure ulcer protocol initiated in an emergency department (I) as compared to patients who receive usual care (C) reduce the incidence of hospital-acquired pressure ulcers (O) on day 3 of hospitalization (T)?
References
Coleman, S., Gorecki, C., Nelson, E. A., Closs, S. J., Defloor, T., Halfens, R.,… Nixon, J. (2013). Patient risk factors for pressure ulcer development: Systematic review. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 50(7), 974-1003.
Whitty, J. A., McInnes, E., Bucknall, T., Webster, J., Gillespie, B. M., Banks, M.,… Chaboyer, W. (2017). The cost-effectiveness of a patient centred pressure ulcer prevention care bundle: Findings from the INTACT cluster randomised trial. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 75, 35-42.