Prevalence of Pressure Ulcers with the Study of the Impact of Pressure Ulcer Educational Program on Registered Nurses’ Knowledge and Practice in Prince Miteb Bin Abdulaziz Hospital, Sakaka City, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Critically ill patients are at high risk for pressure ulcers. Prevalence differs based on settings but is 25% on the average. Cost of its treatment is two and a half times the cost of preventing them. Its development is an index of poor Nursing care. Nursing remains at the forefront of protecting and safeguarding the patient from pressure ulcers. Successful prevention of pressure ulcers requires that caregivers have adequate knowledge of this complication and preventive practice measures. This study describe the prevalence of pressure ulcers among inpatients of ICU and CCU departments, assess intensive care nurses’ knowledge and practice about pressure ulcers management and the impact of an educational program on knowledge and practice. An experimental research design was adopted to conduct the study on (39) nurses working in Intensive Care Units  of Prince Miteb Bin Abdulaziz  Hospital, Sakaka City, Saudi Arabia. Two tools were used for data collection: Knowledge questionnaire sheet and observation checklist. Completion of the educational program resulted in improved levels of nurses' knowledge  and practice regarding PU management. Findings of the present study suggest continued nursing education for the enrichment of nurses' knowledge and augmenting their practices about identification, prevention and management of pressure ulcer is effective in minimizing pressure ulcer for immobilized patients. Keywords: key words, Nurses’ Knowledge, Nurses’ Practice, Pressure Ulcer Prevention, educational programs