Pressure Injuries in Critical Care: A Survey of Critical Care Nurses

2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 46-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jill Cox ◽  
Marilyn Schallom

BACKGROUND Critical care nurses must be able to skillfully balance the prevention of adverse events such as pressure injuries in an environment with multiple competing and lifesaving technologies that often take precedent. Despite strategies to prevent them, pressure injuries do occur in intensive care unit patients, and consensus is building that some pressure injuries are unavoidable. OBJECTIVES To determine critical care nurses’ attitudes toward prevention of pressure injury and the perceptions of frontline critical care nurses of specific risk factors associated with unavoidable pressure injuries. METHODS A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was used. An online survey was posted on the newsletter website of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses in January 2016. RESULTS An invitation to participate in the study was emailed to more than 3000 members of the association; 333 nurses responded, for a response rate of approximately 11%. Among the responders, 73% were employed as bedside critical care nurses. More than half (67%) thought that pressure injuries are avoidable, and 66% disagreed that pressure injury prevention was of less interest than other aspects of critical care. The top 2 risk factors for unavoidable pressure injuries were impaired tissue perfusion and impaired tissue oxygenation. CONCLUSION Critical care nurses are steadfast stewards of safe patient care and think that pressure injury prevention is a crucial aspect of the care they deliver every day. The findings on risk factors for unavoidable pressure injuries mirrored those of experts and provide a layer of support for these factors.

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdul-Monim Batiha

Background: Pressure injuries are a considerable problem for hospitalized critically ill and elderly patients, as such injuries produce pain, and reduce total wellbeing, resulting in increased morbidity and mortality, as well as often extending those patients’ hospital staysPurpose: The purpose of this study was to determine critical care nurses knowledge, attitudes, and perceived barriers toward pressure injuries prevention.Design: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was performed, using a questionnaire method to critical care nurses’. The study took place between August and October 2017 and involved ten hospitals: two university hospital, six public hospitals, and two private hospitals.  Methods: Data were collected by means of a questionnaire using two valid and reliable instruments: i) the Pressure Ulcer Knowledge Assessment Tool 2⋅0, and ii) Attitude Toward Pressure Ulcer Prevention and two newly developed instruments sociodemographic and perceived barriers toward pressure injury prevention.Results: The entire mean knowledge score for the participants was 54.9%, and overall high attitude scores were 76.7%. Level of education, years employed in a critical care unit, training received on pressure injury prevention, and the number of papers read on pressure injury prevention was all identified as having a significant and independent effect on participants’ knowledge concerning prevention of pressure injuries. To evaluate the effect of demographic characteristics on nurses’ attitudes, the only significant variable was "years of employment in critical care units". Shortage of staff was the most commonly cited barrier faced by critical care nurses’ during practice.


2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 387-395 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frances R. Nedjat-Haiem ◽  
Tamara J. Cadet ◽  
Anup Amatya ◽  
Shiraz I. Mishra

Background: Advance care planning for end-of-life care emerged in the mid-1970’s to address the need for tools, such as the advance directive (AD) legal document, to guide medical decision-making among seriously ill patients, their families, and healthcare providers. Objective: Study aims examine providers’ perspectives on AD education that involve examining (1) a range of attitudes about educating patients, (2) whether prior knowledge was associated with practice behaviors in educating patients, and (3) specific factors among healthcare providers such as characteristics of work setting, knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors that may influence AD education and documentation. Design: To examine providers’ views, we conducted a cross-sectional, online survey questionnaire of healthcare providers using social media outreach methods for recruitment. Methods: This study used a cross-sectional survey design to examine the proposed aims. Healthcare providers, recruited through a broad approach using snowball methods, were invited to participate in an online survey. Logistic regression analyses were used to examine providers’ views toward AD education. Results: Of 520 participants, findings indicate that most healthcare providers said that they were knowledgeable about AD education. They also viewed providing education as beneficial to their practice. These findings suggest that having a positive attitude toward AD education and experiencing less organizational barriers indicate a higher likelihood that providers will educate patients regarding ADs. Conclusion: Various disciplines are represented in this study, which indicates that attitudes and knowledge influence AD discussions. The importance of AD discussions initiated by healthcare providers is critical to providing optimal patient-centered care.


2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 11
Author(s):  
Amal Abd El-Hafez1 ◽  
Asmaa Mahjoub ◽  
Eman Ahmad

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is one of the most challenging and serious complications of pregnancy and postpartum period that facing critical care nurses in Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Having a uniform standard for identifying and classifying AKI would enhance critical care nurses’ ability to recognize these patients and leading to better outcomes.Objective: This work aimed to explore the risk factors and outcome of early identified acute kidney injury of critically obstetric patients in Obstetric ICU. Design. A descriptive cross sectional research design was used in this study. Participants: A total sample of 338 women admitted to Obstetric ICU at Woman Health Hospital, Assiut City, Egypt. Method: Three tools were used.Tool I was developed by the researcher and included demographic and obstetric history, lab parameters, complications and outcomes arising from AKI. The Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score as tool II to determine the extent of a patient's organ function or rate of failure. Measurement of serum creatinine and urine output were used to early identify AKI stages according to Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN) Criteria (tool III). Results: The prevalence of AKI among obstetric patients admitted to obstetric ICU was 10.1%; of them 52.9% needed renal replacement therapy and the mortality rate was 29.4%. Postpartum hemorrhage was the most common cause of AKI and its prevalence was 41.2%. It was also found that 74.5% of AKI patients developed complications. Conclusion: AKI complicated 10.1% of total admitted women to the OICU in the studied period. Postpartum hemorrhage represents the most prevalent risk factors with a highly significant SOFA score compared to other risk factors as sever preeclampsia, eclampsia, HEELP & APH with acute fatty liver.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 232596712110556
Author(s):  
Tobias Wörner ◽  
Ryan J. Frayne ◽  
Thomas Magnusson ◽  
Frida Eek

Background: Many ice hockey goaltending techniques force hip joints and groin muscles into extreme ranges of motion, which may increase the risk of hip and groin problems. Purpose: To explore how elite goaltenders and goaltending coaches perceive the demands of common goaltending techniques on the hip and groin region. We further explored differences in perception between goaltenders and their coaches as well as between junior (age <20 years) and senior (age ≥20 years) goaltenders. Study Design: Cross-sectional survey. Methods: We developed a model to categorize common ice hockey goaltending techniques into quantifiable units and invited elite goaltenders and coaches in Sweden to complete an online survey. Participants were asked to rate the perceived demands of each technique on the hip and groin using a Likert scale (not at all, slightly, somewhat, very, or extremely demanding). Using the chi-square test, the proportion of participants perceiving each technique as very or extremely demanding were compared between goaltenders and coaches as well as between senior and junior goaltenders. Results: We received responses from 132 goaltenders and 43 coaches. The stances most frequently perceived as very or extremely demanding were the reverse vertical horizontal post-play (40%) and the butterfly save (25%). Among transitions, movements into the post were most frequently rated as very or extremely demanding (11%–40%). Several techniques were perceived as demanding by a larger share of coaches than goaltenders (difference, 13%–46%; P < .001–.028) and a larger share of senior versus junior goaltenders (difference, 12%–20%; P = .13–.18). Conclusion: The post-play and the butterfly were the goaltending techniques most frequently perceived as demanding, and more coaches than goaltenders percieved these techniques demanding. The results of this study may inform injury prevention efforts for ice hockey goaltending.


2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 432-442 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahmoud Maharmeh

Purpose The aim of this study was to describe Jordanian critical care nurses’ experiences of autonomy in their clinical practice. Design/methodology/approach A descriptive correlational design was applied using a self-reported cross-sectional survey. A total of 110 registered nurses who met the eligibility criteria participated in this study. The data were collected by a structured questionnaire. Findings A majority of critical care nurses were autonomous in their decision-making and participation in decisions to take action in their clinical settings. Also, they were independent to develop their own knowledge. The study identified that their autonomy in action and acquired knowledge were influenced by a number of factors such as gender and area of practice. Practical implications Nurse’s autonomy could be increased if nurses are made aware of the current level of autonomy and explore new ways to increase empowerment. This could be offered through classroom lectures that concentrate on the concept of autonomy and its implication in practice. Nurses should demonstrate autonomous nursing care at the same time in the clinical practice. This could be done through collaboration between educators and clinical practice to help merge theory to practice. Originality/value Critical care nurses were more autonomous in action and knowledge base. This may negatively affect the quality of patient care and nurses’ job satisfaction. Therefore, improving nurses’ clinical decision-making autonomy could be done by the support of both hospital administrators and nurses themselves.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 232596712110625
Author(s):  
Maximilian Hinz ◽  
Benjamin D. Kleim ◽  
Daniel P. Berthold ◽  
Stephanie Geyer ◽  
Christophe Lambert ◽  
...  

Background: Brazilian jiu jitsu (BJJ) is a growing martial art that focuses on grappling techniques. Purpose: To quantify the 3-year incidence of BJJ-related injuries and detect common injury patterns as well as risk factors among those practicing BJJ. It was hypothesized that there would be a high incidence of injuries, they would be caused by submissions in sparring situations, and they would occur predominantly at the extremities. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: Active BJJ athletes were invited to take an English-language online survey developed by orthopaedic surgeons together with BJJ athletes and a sports scientist. Data were recorded regarding athlete demographics, sporting activity level, injuries within the past 3 years that caused at least a 2-week time loss, injury mechanisms, and return to sport. Results: Overall, 1140 responses were received from 62 different countries; 88.9% of all athletes were male, and 63.9% were regular competitors. Within the investigated cohort, 1052 injuries were recorded in 784 athletes, for an injury incidence of 308 per 1000 athletes per year. The lower extremity (45.7%) and upper extremity (30.2%) were predominant sites of injury, with injuries to the knee (27.1%) being the most common. The most frequent knee injuries were meniscal injuries (n = 65), anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears (n = 36), and medial collateral ligament injuries (n = 36). ACL tears were especially associated with long time frames for return to sport. Most injuries occurred during sparring (77.6%) and were caused by submissions (29.7%) and takedowns (26.4%). Competing regularly ( P = .003), older age ( P < .001), and higher belt rank ( P = .003) were significant risk factors for injury. Conclusion: Injury incidence was high among BJJ athletes surveyed, with 2 out of 3 athletes reporting at least 1 injury within a 3-year period that caused a 2-week absence from training. Most injuries occurred during sparring, and we believe that a high potential for injury reduction lies in drawing awareness to common injury patterns and sites in athletes.


2017 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 38
Author(s):  
Takalani G Tshitangano ◽  
T M Ramaliba ◽  
H A Akinsola ◽  
M Thendele

Lephalale local municipality is the leading sub-district in Limpopo province with 9.8% of deaths caused by tuberculosis. This study aimed to describe the risk factors for TB in Lephalale local municipality. A quantitative descriptive, cross-sectional survey design was used to target 148 registered TB patients aged 18 years and above in the sub-district’s 6 clinics. Approval and ethical clearance was obtained from the relevant authorities (SHS/15/PH/14/2006). Only respondents who agreed in writing to be part of the study were included. Ethical research principles were observed. A researcher-developed self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. The data were analysed using the statistical Package for Social Sciences® version 22.0. Of 148 respondents, a high proportion of diagnosed TB patients (43.24%) were receiving less than R1 000 per month; the majority (53.38%) were unemployed; 22% were overcrowded in a single room; 31.8% had skipped taking TB medication at some point; 12% had previously worked in the mining industries; 37.16% never opened windows: 39.19% were from a rural settlement. TB risk factors in Lephalale include overcrowding, inadequate ventilation, TB treatment interruption, rural settlement, working in a mine, and low income. Educating communities about improving ventilation and treatment adherence as well as community empowerment with entrepreneurial skills might assist. (Full text of the research articles are available online at www.medpharm.tandfonline.com/ojfp) S Afr Fam Pract 2017; DOI: 10.1080/20786190.2017.1304734


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