Article: Evaluation of surgical nurses’ knowledge and attitudes towards pressure ulcer prevention
Year Published: July 2024
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Discuss the research question or main problem discussed in the study?
ReplyDeleteThe primary research question of this study is to determine the attitudes and knowledge associated with surgical nurses in the prevention of pressure ulcers. Many articles and research analysis are focused on the floor stuff such as intensive care unit, telemetry and medical surgical units to ensure proper prevention post-surgery, upon admission and during duration of stay of a patient to prevention and heal pressure injury formation. By observing and better educating surgical nurses in early onset of pressure ulcer prevention, patients will hope to have better outcomes related to skin prevalence and decrease ulcer formation. It is hope to be found the rate of pressure ulcer formation decreases especially in the elderly population where pressure ulcers are most observed.
Discuss the limitations of the article: limited sample size, design flaws, and/or author bias.
There are several limitations that are found within this study. First, the study results are based on the nurses' self-report which can pose a problem for bias or skewed data because it is developed from opinions rather than facts. Secondly, the results are developed on the nurses based in one hospital located in Turkey. Therefore, different education levels, certifications, training will be different as compared to the United States nursing staff. Also, when basing information on one hospital it is likely to have bias or be inaccurate because there is no other information to compare it to whether the location of the hospitals is in the same state, country, etc. A broader sample size would need to be used to develop accuracy of results.
Hi Faye, that is a good point you bring up with the nurses and practices located in turkey. There are a few things to consider which are how do their standards compare to western civilization standards as well what their legal obligations are to complications. As you mention education, certifications, and training will have an impact on knowledge base and patient outcomes.
Delete1. Discuss the sample size used in the study?
ReplyDeleteA sample size of 203 nurses voluntarily participated in this study. The study comprises of nurses working in the surgical clinic (general surgery, cardiovascular surgery, thoracic surgery, orthopedics, ear, nose and throat, opthalmology, plastic surgery, urology, neurosurgery) and surgical intensive care units of Pamukkale University Hospital in Turkey.
The criteria to be included in the sample: Nurses need to be 18 years old; the nurses need to volunteer to participate in the research and the nurses need to work as a surgical nurse for at least 6 months.
Nurses that work in the same hospital for less than 1 year and nurses that work as supervisors are excluded from the sample.
2. Discuss the research questions or main problem discussed in the study?
The questions to examine the knowledge and attitudes of surgical nurses towards pressure ulcers (PU) prevention and to reveal the relationships between the level of knowledge and attitudes are the research questions discussed in the study.
The study shows that the PU knowledge level of surgical nurses was low. The low level of knowledge can lead to adverse patient outcomes which reflect that nurses have educational needs on this topic.
In this study, surgical nurses had a positive attitude towards PU but it was not at the desired level. Possible reasons for this include high nursing workloads, limited time allocated for patient care, a lack of knowledge about risk factors and low awareness of issue.
Discuss the limitations of the article: limited sample size, design flaws, and/or author bias:
ReplyDeleteThere are a couple limitations of the article: sample size and choice of study design. Regarding sample size, the study was done at one institution in Turkey - these findings may not be generalizable to other hospitals and countries. Also, the study relied on surgical nurses' self reported knowledge and attitudes of pressure ulcer care with no observation of actual practice.
Discuss the research question or main problem discussed in the study? Pressure ulcer prevention should be generally understood and practiced by all nurses, particularly those who care for patients who are immobilized or otherwise at risk. The main problem discussed in the study was knowledge and attitudes about prevention of pressure injuries by surgical and intensive care unit nurses at a university hospital in Turkey. Data was collected using two questionnaires: one that assessed the nurse's knowledge about pressure ulcer prevention and another that looked at attitudes towards pressure ulcer prevention.
DeleteWhat are the advantages and disadvantages of implementing the article recommendations on your unit and/or hospital?
DeleteI work on the Oncology unit and a significant portion of our population is at risk for pressure ulcers, or already have them. While we are all get some training in nursing school and Skills day on how to identify and care for wounds, it would be advantageous to have a study of our nurses' knowledge and attitudes to pressure ulcer prevention. At present, we turn identified patients every two hours, avoid shearing when moving patient, and place preventative foam dressings on bony prominences. A limited study on our floor might identify some areas that might need improvement, such as nutrition, risk assessment and classification.
Discuss the sample size used in the study.
ReplyDeleteThe study utilized a sample size of 203 out of 310 nurses working in surgical clinics and intensive care units at Pamukkale University Hospitals in Turkey. The nurses need to be the age of 18, volunteer to participate in the research and need to work as a surgical nurse for at least six months. The final sample size is considered appropriate for a descriptive, cross-sectional study and allowed for meaningful statistical analysis.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of implementing the article recommendations on your unit and/or hospital?
Enhancing nurses' knowledge and attitudes through training and guideline adaptation can significantly improve patient outcomes. Nurses equipped with knowledge and with a positive attitude can prevent complications of pressure ulcers. Pressure ulcers can prolong hospital stays and lead to readmissions. Preventing them can help reduce overall healthcare costs and is far less expensive than treating them. Pressure ulcer prevention, especially through repositioning and exercise, can help maintain and improve a patient's mobility and overall functional abilities, improving quality of life. Nurses who integrate current clinical guidelines into practice ensures consistent professional growth, boosts confidence, and enhances job satisfaction. One major disadvantage is the resource demand. Time, funding, and staff availability may limit the feasibility of ongoing education and simulation training, especially in understaffed settings.
1) Describe the method used by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe research is a descriptive and cross sectional study the population of the study comprises nurses working in the surgical clinics, general surgery, cardiovascular surgery, thoracic surgery, orthopedic, ear, nose, and throat, ophthalmology, plastic surgery, urology, neurosurgery, and surgical intesive care units of Pamukkale University hospital. The research data were collected face to face between May 2022 and November 2022. Written permission was obtained from the non-interventional Ethics Committee of Pamukkale University.
2) Discuss the limitations of the article.
The study has some limitations, the results of the study are based on the nurses self report, the study was conducted in one institution. Therefore the results can not be generalized for Turkey. Finally, they did not conduct a pilot study to test its feasibility and applicability before full data collection.
Hi Agnes, good point you mention how data collected from one institution cannot speak to the practices of turkey. That is a true point, and furthermore different regions of turkey may adhere to different standards as well, similar to laws and practices vary based upon county and state here in America. In this article not having a comparison to multiple hospitals/clinics does not give us a complete picture in true practices in Turkey.
Delete1. How does this research article compare to our practices, policy, and/or procedure.
ReplyDeleteThe study in this article compares our recent changes in our policy to assess pressure injuries while patients are hospitalized in our facility. The SWAT team emphasizes the progression or worsening of pressure injuries while the patients are hospitalized at Saint Joseph Medical Center. This article has evaluated new nurses with less than a year-experience their attitude towards wound care indifferent units. Also, our practice includes different units around our hospital. Chronic ulcers are recognized as a public health issue that absorbs a significant amount of time and resources for health systems and health professionals, with a significant social, physical and psychological impact on the quality of life of patients and their families.
2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of implementing the article recommendation on your unit and/or hospital.
Advantages of this article is that it only emphasizes nurses with less than a year of experience. The study focuses on the study on descriptive information form, pressure ulcer prevention knowledge assessment, and attitude towards pressure ulcer prevention scale, as we seen the study is very specific. The disadvantage is that the study is very limited. The study haven’t implemented strategy to solve these issues. The study was only 6 moths long, usually a new nurse needs at least at year to learn the policies and adjusted to new responsibilities.
3. Describe the method used by the author of the study.
The method used descriptive and cross-sectional study.
4. Discuss the sample size used in the study.
310 nurses. with less than a year experience. The study was conducted from May 2022-Novemnber 2022.
1) What are the advantages and disadvantages to the proposed recommendations in the article?;
ReplyDeleteThe advantages are to reduce and prevent post operative HAPI incident, increased knowledge of pressure ulcers in surgical nurses, and increased vigilance to prevent pressure ulcers in all nursing team, which result in decrease LOS and mortality saving cost. I should say that post operative HAPI is already our hospital’s problem since our floor found at least one HAPI episode right after a surgery in the past; we had to own the incident since we didn’t document appropriately at that time. Thus, it should be very beneficial to not only educate surgical nurses about pressure ulcers, but also educate floor nurses to assess with surgical nurses and document appropriately like we do assess skin between incoming nurse and outgoing nurse after Report. I also recommend to aim to include surgeon for prevention of HAPI during surgery.
The disadvantages are cost of education for nurses and possible resistance from both surgical team and nursing since this is a kind of changing culture. Of course, the cost of educating nurses should be much less than cost of developing a HAPI incident.
2) Discuss the research question or main problem discussed in the study?
The research question is whether the nurses in the surgical clinics and surgical ICU in Pamukkale universityt has enough knowledge and high attitudes regarding pressure ulcer prevention and also look for the relationship between the level of knowledge and attitudes. Incidence of pressure ulcer and its prevention show a quality indicator of nursing. Since the knowledge and attitude of pressure ulcer is imperative for timely diagnosis, treatment and prevention. It’s interesting to know the author’s finding; more knowledge with experience the nurses have, more positive attitude they have for Pressure ulcer-prevention.
Describe the method used by the author of the study.
ReplyDeleteThe study used a descriptive cross-sectional design and was conducted between May and November 2022 in the surgical clinics and ICUs of a university hospital in Turkey. A total of 203 nurses participated. Data were collected using a demographic form, a knowledge scale, and an attitude scale on pressure ulcer prevention. The results were analyzed with descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, correlation, and regression to evaluate nurses’ knowledge, attitudes, and the relationship between them.
Discuss the research question or main problem discussed in the study?
The study aims to examine the knowledge and attitudes towards pressure ulcer prevention and reveals the relationship between level of knowledge and attitudes. The study found that surgical nurses’ knowledge of pressure ulcer prevention was generally insufficient, with many lacking a full understanding of evidence-based practices. While nurses demonstrated a positive attitude toward prevention, their attitudes were not consistently strong enough to ensure effective practice. The analysis also showed that higher knowledge levels were associated with more positive attitudes, and nurses with prior training or education scored better overall. These findings highlight the importance of ongoing education to strengthen both knowledge and attitudes, ultimately improving pressure ulcer prevention.
Describe the method used by the author of the study.
ReplyDeleteThe research study used was descriptive and cross-sectional. The study also included two hundred nurses and data was collected between May 2022 and November 2022. The date analysis utilized frequency, percentage, independent groups t-test, one way Anova, and linear regression analysis. The nurses needed to be at least 18 years old and voluntarily agree to participate in the study. Also, nurses needed to be working as a surgical nurse for at least six months.
Discuss the limitation of the article.
The study had a few limitations. First of all the results of the study are based on the nurses self report. Nurses self reports can be subjective and there could be the possibility of missing information about the study. Secondly, the study was conducted in one institution only. And lastly, they did not conduct a pilot study to test its feasibility and applicability before full data collection.
1. Describe the method used by the author of the study.
ReplyDelete- The research study used was descriptive and cross-sectional. In addition it was conducted between May and November 2022 in the surgical clinics and ICUs of a university hospital in Turkey. there was a total of 203 nurses who participated all above the age of 18 and working as a surgical nurse for six months.
2.Discuss the research question or main problem discussed in the study?
- The study aims to examine the knowledge and attitudes towards pressure ulcer prevention and reveals the relationship between level of knowledge and attitudes. By observing and better educating surgical nurses in early onset of pressure ulcer prevention, patients will hope to have better outcomes related to skin prevalence and decrease ulcer formation. It is hope to be found the rate of pressure ulcer formation decreases especially in the elderly population where pressure ulcers are most observed.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis methodology allowed the authors to quantitatively assess knowledge and attitudes and identify factors affecting pressure ulcer prevention among surgical nurses. Nurses' attitudes toward pressure ulcer prevention are influenced by several key factors, including their knowledge level, work experience, education, workload, and organizational support.
DeleteAttitudes are shaped by behavioral perceptions; if pressure ulcer prevention is viewed as a core nursing responsibility, positive attitudes are more prevalent. On the other hand, higher levels of knowledge about pressure ulcer prevention are linked to a more positive attitudes, making on-going education training critical.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteDiscuss the limitation of the article.
DeleteLimited sample representation which only included nurses from surgical clinics and ICU, may not be representative of nurses working in other specializations or settings. This study might a small or homogenous sample size, limiting the ability to generalize the findings to all surgical nurses. This do not adequately represent the broader population the study aims to generalize about. If the sample isn't representative of the larger population, the findings may not be applicable to everyone. The findings may not be also applicable to different healthcare settings if the sample do not reflect broader variations in practice or demographics.
1.What the advantage and disadvantage to the proposed recommendations in the article?
ReplyDeleteThe advantage in this descriptive research article is that all the facts stated are true to nursing practice. These proposed guidelines should be followed. For instance, the article proposed that nurses have a critical role in preventing pressure ulcers. Therefore, nurses’ assessment is crucial in preventing pressure ulcers. Based on this article, there are some interferences that may affect nurses’ attitude towards pressure ulcers and consequently affect the knowledge and level of care. The advantage was the study used descriptive forms to conduct the study to bias in the results. For example, each form had different questions that asked simple questions such as age, gender, educational status, years of employment, just to mention some of them. The disadvantage is that these types of questionaries probably did not alter nurses’ attitudes towards pressures injuries. The article mentioned that nurses’ knowledge was limited due to the inability to attend training. Perhaps if these nurses had encouragement to get paid for pressure injuries training the results would be higher. Also, the disadvantage of this proposal is very limited. The data was not relevant to have define conclusion.
2 What are the advantages and disadvantages of implementing the article recommendations on your unit and/or hospital?
The advantage in implementing the article recommendations at 4 north is that would emphasize the nursing practices towards pressure injuries. Since 4 north has a very wide nurses’ diversity it would be interesting to implement some of the forms that conducted this research. For instance, PUPKAIT-T form that goes form very basic nursing assessment such as risk factors, nutrition that many times reduce pressure injuries. The disadvantages of these recommendations are that the article did not close a gap between the exiting problem with pressures injuries and nursing practice. This research was done at Turkey where might not follow united States nursing guidelines and practices.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of implementing the article recommendations on your unit and/or hospital?
ReplyDeleteAccording to recent insights, enhancing nurses' expertise and attitudes through targeted training and the adoption of updated guidelines greatly benefits patient care. Educated and positively-minded nurses are crucial in preventing pressure ulcer complications, which often extend hospital stays and result in readmissions. Prevention measures not only reduce healthcare costs but are more cost-effective than treatment. Methods such as repositioning and exercise play a key role in preserving patients' mobility and functional abilities, thereby improving their quality of life. Moreover, nurses applying current clinical guidelines foster professional development, increase confidence, and achieve higher job satisfaction. However, ongoing education and simulation training face challenges, especially in resource-constrained environments, due to demands on time, funding, and staffing.
Discuss the research question or main problem discussed in the study?
Recent research seeks to understand the connection between surgical nurses' knowledge and attitudes regarding pressure ulcer prevention. By focusing on educating nurses about early intervention techniques, the study anticipates improved patient outcomes in skin health and reduced incidence of ulcer formation. There is an expectation that these preventative measures will be particularly effective in decreasing the occurrence of pressure ulcers among the elderly, who are most affected by this condition.
1.Discuss the limitations of the article: limited sample size, design flaws, and/or author bias.
ReplyDeleteThe study has several limitations that should be considered. First, if the sample size was small or not representative, the findings may not be generalizable to all surgical nurses. Second, the cross-sectional design captures data at a single point in time, which limits the ability to assess changes over time or establish causal relationships. Additionally, the reliance on self-reported data introduces the possibility of social desirability bias, as respondents may provide answers they believe are expected rather than reflecting their true perceptions. Finally, the study does not include an assessment of specific interventions, such as training programs, making it unclear whether educational initiatives would effectively improve knowledge and attitudes toward pressure ulcer prevention.
2.Discuss the research question or main problem discussed in the study.
The main problem addressed in this study is the potential gap in surgical nurses’ knowledge and attitudes regarding pressure ulcer prevention, which can directly impact patient outcomes and safety. The research seeks to answer questions such as: How knowledgeable are surgical nurses about evidence-based practices for preventing pressure ulcers? What are their attitudes toward implementing these practices in daily care? By exploring these questions, the study aims to identify areas where education or policy improvements are needed to enhance nursing competence, ensure adherence to clinical guidelines, and ultimately reduce the incidence of pressure ulcers in surgical patients. The study emphasizes the importance of understanding both knowledge and attitudes, as positive attitudes are essential for the consistent application of preventive measures in clinical practice.
Discuss the research question or main problem discussed in the study:
ReplyDeleteSurgical nurses had insufficient knowledge about the importance of preventing pressure ulcers. In this study about 73% of operating nurses did not have enough experience to prevent pressure ulcer associated with surgery. Based on a literature, 12.8% of surgery patients have stage pressure ulcer with in 24hrs after surgery which includes preop and intraop periods. The study shows that surgical nurses have lower knowledge and attitude in operating room. The low knowledge maybe due to lack of training perhaps due to workload or insufficient educational effectiveness which then can lead to adverse patient outcome. Therefore, it is necessary for nurses to be able to identify training gaps and master the guidelines for pressure ulcer prevention.
Discuss the sample size used in the study:
The population for this study consists of 310 nurses in surgical clinics including general surgery, cardiovascular surgery, thoracic surgery, ENT, orthopedic surgery, plastic surgery, urology, neurosurgery. The research is descriptive and cross-sectional study. Data was collected between May 2022- November 2022. Some inclusions included age >18, needs to volunteer to participate, and need to work as surgical nurse for at least six months. Explanations were given to nurses who participated. Consent was obtained and they were given a week to complete a data collection form. About 203 nurses volunteered for this study.
Discuss the research question or main problem discussed in the study?
ReplyDeleteThe research intended to assess surgical nurses’ knowledge and views on preventing pressure ulcers in patients. It examined their awareness and attitudes regarding the necessary measures to prevent pressure ulcers. Skin injuries can show the effectiveness of care provided by the care team.
Discuss the sample size used in the study.
The sample size included 203 nurses working in the surgical clinics as well as surgical intensive care units at the university hospitals of Pamukkale. Nurses needed to be at least 18 years of age, voluntary participation, and had been working as surgical nurses for a minimum of six months. The sample size excluded nurses who upheld supervisor roles.
Discuss the research question or main problem discussed in the study?
DeleteThe study aimed to analyze surgical nurses’ understanding and attitudes towards preventing pressure ulcers in patients. It examined nurses' awareness and views regarding the necessary measures needed to prevent these injuries. Many patients hospitalized are at high risk for pressure ulcers. Skin injuries can show the effectiveness of care provided by the care team. It is essential for nurses to have a well rounded understanding about pressure ulcers and awareness on the interventions needed to prevent these injuries from occurring.
Discuss the sample size used in the study.
The study had a relatively small sample size.
The participants in this study included 203 nurses working in the surgical clinics as well as surgical intensive care units at the university hospitals of Pamukkale. Nurses needed to be at least 18 years of age, it had to be voluntary participation, and had been working as surgical nurses for a minimum of six months. The sample size did not include nurses who upheld supervisor roles.
1. Discuss the research question or main problem discussed in the study
ReplyDeletePressure injuries are wounds that typically form over the boney prominences due to pressure or sheer forces. These are preventable and are more commonly seen in the elderly and chronically ill. Literature shows that 12.8% of surgical patients have a pressure injury within 24 hours after surgery. A study showed that 73% of operating room nurses did not have adequate experience to prevent pressure ulcers during surgery. The aim of this study was to examine the knowledge and attitudes of surgical nurses towards pressure ulcer prevention and to reveal the relationship between the level of knowledge and attitudes.
2. Discuss the sample size used in the study
The sample size utilized in this study comprised of 310 nurses working in surgical clinics and surgical intensive care units. These surgical clinics included: general surgery, cardiovascular surgery, thoracic surgery, orthopedics, ear, nose, and throat, ophthalmology, plastic surgery, urology and neurosurgery. The inclusion criteria of the nurses included being the age of 18 and above, the nurses needed to volunteer to participate in the research, and working as a surgical nurse for at least six months. The exclusion criteria were the nurses need to work as a nurse in the same hospital for less than one year and the nurse need to work as a supervisor position.
2. Discuss the sample size used in the study.
DeleteThe sample sizes that was utilized in this study included 310 nurses working in medical surgical as well as intensive care floors in a university hospital in Turkey. These nurses volunteered to be in the study. In order to be included in the study nurses had to meet certain inclusion criteria which included being at least 18 years of age, they had to have volunteered to be apart of the study, and working as a nurse for a minimum of 6 months. Nurses were not included in this study if they had worked in the hospital for less than a year or worked in a supervisor position. The study revealed the nurses included in the study on average were 29.12 years old, had 6.55 years of experience and were employed at the hospital for an average of 1.36 years. There were 150 female nurses (73.9%) compared to 53 (26.1%) male nurses.
1). What are the advantages and disadvantages to the proposed recommendations in the article?
ReplyDeleteThe article’s recommendations—updating undergraduate and in-service training, aligning education with current guidelines, incorporating simulation, and supporting wound-care units—offer clear advantages by improving care quality, strengthening nurses’ preventive attitudes, enhancing professional confidence, and reducing complications and costs associated with pressure ulcers. However, these strategies also have disadvantages, including the need for significant institutional resources, challenges for smaller or underfunded hospitals, added workload for already busy staff, and limited generalizability of findings since the study was conducted in a single institution with self-reported data.
2). Discuss the sample size used in the study.
The study population consisted of 310 surgical nurses at Pamukkale University Hospitals, and a total of 203 nurses who met the inclusion criteria and volunteered participated in the research. Most were female (73.9%), aged 26–30 (46.3%), and held a bachelor’s degree (76.8%); half had 1–5 years of nursing experience, and 66% worked in surgical clinics while 34% worked in surgical ICUs.
1. Discuss the research question or main problem discussed in the study?
ReplyDeletePressure ulcers are a well-known hospital problem that increases hospital length of stay and increases the burden on patients. The study discusses the negative impact pressure ulcers have on patients and how the incidence of pressure ulcers can be decreased through wound care with nursing education and clinical guidelines. Specifically, the study aims to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of surgical nurses regarding the prevention of pressure ulcers in the operating room because there are numerous risk factors for developing pressure ulcers post-op but the knowledge base and attitudes of such surgical nurses is inadequate.
2. Discuss the limitations of the article: limited sample size, design flaws, and/or author bias
According to the journal, there are some visible limitations. The results of the study were limited in that the results were based on the surgical nurses' self-report. Another limitation is that the data cannot be generalized for Turkey because the study was only carried out at one single university hospital with no other locations. The authors of the study also acknowledged they should have conducted an initial pilot study to determine the actual study's feasibility and applicability prior to full data collection.
1). What are the advantages and disadvantages to the proposed recommendations in the article?
ReplyDeleteThe article’s recommendations—updating undergraduate and in-service training, aligning education with current guidelines, incorporating simulation, and supporting wound-care units—offer several advantages, including improved care quality, stronger preventive attitudes among nurses, greater professional confidence, and reduced complications and costs related to pressure ulcers. At the same time, these strategies present challenges such as the need for significant institutional resources, which can be especially difficult for smaller or underfunded hospitals. They also risk adding to the workload of already busy staff, and their generalizability is limited since the study was conducted in a single institution using self-reported data.
2). Discuss the sample size used in the study.
The study involved 310 surgical nurses at Pamukkale University Hospitals, with 203 meeting the inclusion criteria and volunteering to participate. Most participants were female (73.9%), between 26 and 30 years old (46.3%), and held a bachelor’s degree (76.8%). About half had 1–5 years of experience, with 66% working in surgical clinics and 34% in surgical ICUs.
1. Discuss the limitations of the article.
ReplyDeleteThis article identifies the small sample size (203 nurses) being conducted at one facility in Turkey, it cannot be generalized for an entire population of surgical nurses’ perceptions. The research study was a cross sectional study that reviewed data in one point in time between nurses knowledge and attitudes towards pressure injury. This study was done in Turkey where local education, policies or research may differ from international institutions.
2. Describe the research method used by the author of the study.
The authors used a descriptive, cross-sectional method. With this method, the researchers gave questionnaires to surgical nurses at one hospital in Turkey to find out what they knew about preventing pressure ulcers and what their attitudes were toward prevention.
This type of research is like taking a “snapshot” at a single point in time—it shows what the nurses know and how they felt in the moment, but it doesn’t track changes over time. The method is useful because it gives a clear picture of the current situation and can point out areas where more training or support might be needed. However, since it relies on self-reported answers, there’s always a chance nurses answered more favorable than what is reality.
1)Discuss the research question or main problem discussed in the study?
ReplyDeleteThe main research problem addressed in this study is the insufficient knowledge and suboptimal attitudes of surgical nurses regarding pressure ulcer (PU) prevention. Pressure ulcers are a critical indicator of healthcare quality and can result in serious patient complications, prolonged hospital stays, and increased healthcare costs. Nurses play a pivotal role in preventing PUs through direct patient care and adherence to clinical guidelines. This study aims to assess the level of knowledge and attitudes among surgical nurses and to explore the relationship between the two. By identifying gaps that may hinder effective PU prevention, the research seeks to provide insights for targeted educational interventions to improve patient outcomes.
2) Discuss the limitations of the article: limited sample size, design flaws, and/or author bias
The study has several limitations. First, it was conducted in a single institution, which limits the generalizability of the findings to other hospitals or regions. Second, the data were self-reported by nurses, introducing the potential for response bias or inaccuracies in recalling knowledge and practices. Third, the study did not include a pilot test to assess the feasibility of the survey instruments before full data collection, which may affect the reliability of the results. Finally, the cross-sectional design captures only a snapshot in time, preventing conclusions about causality between knowledge, attitudes, and preventive practices.
Valarie Renaux ICU
ReplyDeleteHow does this research article compare to our practice, policy and/or procedure?
Evaluation of surgical knowledge and attitudes of pressure ulcer prevention
73% of surgical nurses did not have adequate understanding of pressure ulcer reduction. The attitude toward pressure ulcer prevention scale is a questioner encompassing questions that include qualification, priority, impact, taking responsibility, and prevention. The average attitude score toward wound care was 55.7% and an acceptable score would be 75% or better. This is not ideal score but it is a starting point and there is room for improvement. One thing I do question regarding the position of the surgical nurse, is there is a team in the operating room including the physicians and techs. I do wonder if there is push back from other members of the team not being compliant in allowing repositioning of the patient during the procedure.
Describe the method used by the author of the study
203 nurses were utilized in this study. Knowledge toward pressure ulcers prevention scale was the tool used to test the knowledge of surgical nurses in pressure ulcers. Twenty-six questions were utilized with classifications of etiology and development, classification and observation, risk assessment, nutrition, preventative interventions to reduce the pressure and duration of pressure ulcers also showed to be low. Independent groups t-test, one way ANOVA were utilized for results. While nurses had a positive attitude toward preventing pressure ulcers, their was room to work on with their knowledge.
Describe the method used by the author of the study
ReplyDeleteThe study is descriptive and cross sectional study. The study comprises about 310 nurses working in the surgical clinics. 2 criteria were used 1. Inclusion criteria- nurses needed to be 18 years old, volunteers to participate in the research, work as a surgical nurse for at least 6 months. 2. Exclusion criteria- nurses needed work on the same hospital for less than 1 year, work as a supervisor position.
Discuss the research questions or main problem discussed in the study?
Pressure ulcers are wounds that usually form on bony areas due to pressure or sheer friction. On some occasions they are preventable, they are more common in elderly or chronically ill. In Europe according to the healthcare research and quality data 2.5 million individuals develop pressure ulcers annually. Pressure ulcers are considered one of the nursing indicators . Nurses not only have to deal with the primary health issue but also with preventing the patients from developing pressure ulcers while in the hospital.
1. Discuss the sample size used in the study?
ReplyDeleteA sample size of 203 nurses voluntarily participated in this study. The study comprises of nurses working in the surgical clinic (general surgery, cardiovascular surgery, thoracic surgery, orthopedics, ear, nose and throat, ophthalmology, plastic surgery, urology, neurosurgery) and surgical intensive care units of Pamukkale University Hospital in Turkey.
The criteria to be included in the sample: Nurses need to be 18 years old; the nurses need to volunteer to participate in the research and the nurses need to work as a surgical nurse for at least 6 months.
Nurses that work in the same hospital for less than 1 year and nurses that work as supervisors are excluded from the sample.
2.Discuss the research question or main problem discussed in the study?
The results of the study showed that nurses’ knowledge levels were
low and their attitudes were not as positive as desired. Considering that
pressure ulcers are a quality indicator, effective education on the subject
is essential. It is necessary to identify training gaps among nurses. One of
the important points in effective education is the adaptation of guidelines to the clinic. There is a need for studies evaluating nurses’ level of
guidelines recommendation and clinical application of pressure ulcers.
Nurses’ mastery of the guidelines should be determined, and the points
needed should be supported by simulation as well as theoretical
training. One of the important issues in reducing the incidence of
pressure ulcers is the presence of wound care units. Studies evaluating
the presence and functioning of wound care units in institutions can
reduce the incidence of PUs
Discuss the limitations of the article: limited sample size, design flaws, and/or author bias
ReplyDeleteThe limitations of this study were that it was done at one institution and that the nurses that were studied were that of solely surgical nurses. I believe to gain a more accurate study, nurses in different specialties would have to be studied and across different hospitals. Another flaw was that there was no study done prior to this one to test the application and practicality of this study. That could have reduced the limitations and flaws of this study.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of implementing the article recommendations on your unit and/or hospital?
The advantages of implementing the article recommendations on my unit/hospital, is that pressure ulcers (PU) are relevant in every unit/hospital. The article notes that the number of years of experience and knowledge of PU correlate to the attitude of nurses who care to prevent PU. One of the recommendations of the article is to have a wound care unit. However this is a disadvantage because this is not realistic. It would not be possible in a hospital due to budgets, but I do believe that would reduce PUs.
1. Discuss the research question or main problem discussed in the study?
ReplyDeleteThe main problem discuss in this study is the attitudes and knowledge of how important it is for nurses to prevent pressure ulcer. One study show that over 70% of nursing in the operating room does not have enough knowledge to prevent pressure related surgeries. So this study is to aim on surgery nurses knowledge and attitude towards preventing pressure ulcer and also to reveal the relationship between the level of attitude and Knowledge.
2. Describe the method used by the author of the study.
* The study was taken from a hospital in Turkey between the month of May- November of 2022. The total of participants are 310 nurses who work on the surgical unit and also the intensive unit. The data was collected using the Descriptive information form such as; “ Knowledge Towards Pressure Ulcers prevention scale” and “ Attitude Towards Pressure Ulcers Prevention Scale.”
1. What are the (dis)advantages of implementing the article recommendations on your unit and/or hospital?
ReplyDeleteIn the conclusion of the article, the researchers point out that effective education on pressure injuries was essential. This would imply that our hospital would benefit from increased education and awareness about pressure injury prevention. An advantage to applying this strategy would be empowering the nurses in our hospital by increasing their knowledge and competency regarding skin integrity and pressure injury prevention. This would lead to better patient outcomes and faster discharges.
2. Discuss the limitations of the article.
One limitation discussed in the study was that the results of the study are based on the nurses’ self-report. This may create bias as the nurses participating may feel shame about limited knowledge of pressure injuries so could answer inaccurately as if they know about pressure injuries than they actually do. Another limitation is that all participants were limited to one institution so the results cannot be generalized to other contexts. While the results can be reflective of the institution, we cannot draw conclusions that can be applied to other healthcare facilities in Turkey.
Mary Becerra BSN, RN, CHPN
Discuss the sample size used in the study
ReplyDeleteAbout 203 of the study's 310 participants were female surgical nurses working at Pamukkale University hospitals. Most of them were between the ages of 26 to 30, and they had a bachelor's degree. About half of them have at least a year of experience. They mainly work in surgical clinics and medical ICUs.
Discuss the research question or main problem discussed in the study
A pressure injury is a wound that develops over bony prominences due to prolonged shear or pressure buildup. It can be seen in older individuals or those with chronic illnesses. The literature states that about 12.8% of patients experience this within 24 hours following a surgical procedure. According to a recent study, about 73% of operating-room nurses do not have the necessary experience to prevent pressure ulcers from developing during a medical procedure. The researchers' objective was to determine the nurses' attitudes and knowledge about preventing pressure injuries.
Describe the method used by the author of the study.
ReplyDeleteThe methods were quite unique. They used the Pressure Ulcer "Prevention Knowledge Assessment Instrument", a 26 multiple-choice test ranging six themes such as classification and nutrition. The next scale was the "Attitude Towards Pressure Ulcers Prevention Scale (APuP)", developed by the same team of researchers which compromises 13 items across five sub-categories primarily focusing on the attitudes nurses have about pressure injuries and their own capabilities. The exact questions were not discussed so it is hard to understand the context of the questions and how Turkey's view on pressure ulcer prevention differs from what we see in the US. Or more specifically, here at PSJMC.
Discuss the limitations of the article: limited sample size, design flaws, and/or author bias.
I feel the biggest limitation is the sample size. Using 310 nurses seems very small given the number of available nurses there are in general. Additionally, 102 of those nurses fell in the 1-5 year category. I would not recommend polling anyone under three years of experience as an RN. I just feel they would not be confident and competent in any aspect of nursing so those nurses would skew any result in nursing. Especially as one as complex and varied as wound care. One possible design flaw is that the nurses are self-reporting. Some may rate themselves higher than normal or lower than what they can actually accomplish. There also may be some cultural differences at play that may attribute to the expectations of evaluating themselves.
Felli Ruiz
ReplyDeleteDiscuss the sample size used in the study.
The sample size used in this study can be characterized as young, female surgical nurses with a bachelor’s degree. 203 out of the 310 participants worked at Pamukkale University hospitals. Their ages were between 26-30 years old. Half had at least a year’s worth of experience. Their work was mainly in the surgical clinics and medical ICUs.
Discuss the research question or main problem discussed in the study
The main research question was to determine the nurses’ attitudes and knowledge about preventing pressure injuries. Pressure injuries are classified as a wound developing over the bony prominence of the body due to extended shear force or pressure buildup. Older adults or those with chronic illnesses are prone to such pathology
1. Describe the method used by the author of the study.
ReplyDeleteThe authors utilized a descriptive, cross-sectional design to investigate the knowledge and attitudes of surgical nurses regarding pressure ulcer prevention. Data were collected in person between May and November 2022 through a structured, three-part questionnaire comprising the Descriptive Information Form, the Pressure Ulcer Prevention Knowledge Assessment Instrument (PUPKAI-T), and the Attitude Towards Pressure Ulcers Prevention Scale (APuP). Ethical approval was secured, and all participants provided written informed consent before completing the questionnaires, which were returned within one week. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent-sample t-tests, one-way ANOVA with Scheffe’s post-hoc tests, Pearson correlation, and linear regression to examine associations between nurses’ knowledge, attitudes, and sociodemographic characteristics.
2. Discuss the sample size used in the study.
The study population comprised 310 nurses employed across various surgical clinics and surgical intensive care units at Pamukkale University Hospitals. From this population, 203 nurses voluntarily participated, constituting the study’s final sample. The inclusion criteria required participants to be at least 18 years of age, have a minimum of six months’ experience as surgical nurses, and provide informed consent. Nurses in supervisory positions or with less than one year of employment at the institution were excluded. This sample size was deemed adequate for conducting a descriptive, cross-sectional analysis of nurses’ knowledge and attitudes toward pressure ulcer prevention.
1. Discuss the research question or main problem discussed in the study?
ReplyDeleteThe study addressed the issue of surgical nurses’ limited knowledge and attitudes regarding pressure ulcer prevention. Findings showed that about 73% of operating room nurses lacked sufficient experience in preventing surgery-related pressure ulcers, which are reported to occur in up to 12.8% of surgical patients within 24 hours postoperatively. The authors highlight that inadequate training, heavy workload, or ineffective education may contribute to these gaps, potentially leading to adverse patient outcomes. The study emphasizes the need for targeted education and adherence to prevention guidelines to improve patient safety.
2. Discuss the sample size used in the study.
This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted between May and November 2022 across multiple surgical specialties (e.g., general, cardiovascular, orthopedic, plastic, urology, neurosurgery, ENT, thoracic). The target population included 310 eligible surgical nurses, with inclusion criteria such as being over 18, working as a surgical nurse for at least six months, and volunteering to participate. Ultimately, 203 nurses consented and completed the survey, providing the study’s final sample size.
Discuss the sample size used in the study:
ReplyDeleteThe initial sample size used in this study included 310 surgical nurses aged 18 and over, who voluntarily participated, and with at least six months working as a surgical nurse. Of the 310 nurses, the final data collected included only 203 nurses. Some of the exclusions of the study included having worked at the current hospital for less than one year and also supervisors. The data was collected from a university hospital, located in Turkey.
Discuss the limitations of the article: limited sample size, design flaws, and/or author bias
Some of the limitations of this study included a small study size of only 310 nurses, in which only 203 actually participated. The data collected also lacked geographic differences in that the data was only collected from one hospital located in Turkey. The study was also done on a voluntary basis leading to possible bias on data collected. Also from the data collected, there was no pilot tests done prior to the initiation of the study.
Discuss the sample size used in the study:
ReplyDeleteThe study was descriptive and cross-sectional, meaning it looked at information from participants at a single point in time. A total of 200 nurses took part, with data collected between May and November 2022. To analyze the results, the researchers used frequency counts, percentages, independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and linear regression. To qualify, nurses had to be at least 18 years old, agree to participate voluntarily, and have worked as a surgical nurse for at least six months.
Discuss the limitations of the article: limited sample size, design flaws, and/or author bias
The study had some limitations. First, the findings were based on the nurses’ self-reports, which can be subjective and may leave out important details. Second, the research was carried out in only one hospital, which makes it harder to apply the results to other settings. Lastly, the researchers did not do a pilot study beforehand to check if their methods were practical and effective.