Nurses' perceptions : the role of nutrition in pressure ulcer management

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the perception of nurses working in medical wards at a local general hospital about the role of nutrition in pressure ulcer management. This study's objectives are nurses' perception on the role of nutrition in pressure ulcer healing, nutritional assessment and management. These objectives were achieved by collecting quantitative data through a structured, self-administered questionnaire distributed to a purposive sample of thirty-six nurses (n=36), whose which results were descriptively analyzed. From the 60% response rate, results from this study exhibited the thorough understanding nurses encompass regarding the role of nutrition in pressure ulcer healing and the various nutritional supplements that aid in this healing. Nonetheless, such a satisfying understanding was not evident in other areas. This is because results of this study revealed that overall nurses lacked comprehension about the physiology of wound healing and nutritional screening tools, had poor clinical judgment in identifying malnutrition, and an inadequate knowledge about nutritional management to promote pressure ulcer healing. In response to these results, several recommendations for continuous education especially with regards to the physiology of wound healing, and malnutrition were forwarded. Recommended were also the implementation of clinical guidelines on nutritional screening and management, and the competent training of nurses in nutritional screening to minimize the development or progression of pressure ulcers.