Research Summary and Ethical Considerations
Introduction
"A pressure ulcer is a localized injury to the skin and/ or underlying tissue usually over a bony prominence, as a result of pressure or pressure in combination with shear and/ or friction." (National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel, 2007). It is essential to give education to the patients, family, care givers and health care providers to decrease the pressure ulcer rate. Multiple study about pressure ulcer revealed that pressure ulcer causes significant harm to the patients by increasing the length of stay in the hospital due to frequent pain, discomfort, infection and poor healing. The infection and sepsis occur from pressure ulcer can even lead to death. However, pressure ulcers are preventable. Identifying the high risk patients and constantly implementing measures to prevent pressure ulcer in these patients are two major steps to prevent pressure ulcer. "This study aimed at describing contributing factors for the progression or regression of pressure ulcers in the care trajectory as they are understood by nurses working in hospitals or community care." (Athlin et al. 2010)
Background of study
Nurses play an important role in the prevention of pressure ulcer. Educational programs in the hospital provide good knowledge to nurses about the preventive and treatment methods of pressure ulcer. But some studies pointed that nurses need more updated knowledge about pressure ulcer and due to unorganized systems or shortage of time they do not use this knowledge in their work place. "Watts and Gardner (2005) found an inconsistency between the nursing documentation and discharge plan and lack of routines concerning communication between the bedside nurse and other members of the health team regarding discharge planning." (Athlin et al. 2010). This study was done because the pressure ulcer development is directly