Effectiveness of Nursing Intervention Program on Prevention of Acquired Pressure Ulcers among Hospitalized Elderly Patients

Background : One of the most prevalent issues among elderly patients in hospitals is pressure ulcers (PU), which place a great strain on the elderly as well as the society. Aim: Evaluate the effectiveness of nursing intervention program on prevention of acquired pressure ulcers among hospitalized elderly patients. Method: A quasi-experimental (study and control groups) design was used on a purposive sample of 84 elderly patients (42 for each group) selected from the medical and orthopedic departments at Mansoura University hospital (MUH), Egypt. Data were collected using ; demographic & medical data structured interview schedule, Braden risk assessment scale, European pressure ulcer advisory panel classification, and elderly patients' knowledge towards pressure ulcers prevention instrument. Results : The mean age of the study and control groups was 64.26 ± 4.26 and 65.64 ± 4.65 years respectively. For all the demographic data, there was no statistically significant difference between both groups. The study group shows overall improvement (decrease risk for developing pressure ulcers) throughout the implementation phases of the nursing intervention program, while the control group shows overall worsening. There was a statistically significant improvement in the study group compared to control group regarding knowledge and grades of developed pressure ulcers (P=0.001). While, the independent predictors of developing pressure ulcers among the study group were still higher in elderly who aged from 70 year and more, had hospital stay more than two weeks, being obesity, smoking, and those with diabetes and stroke. Conclusion : The nursing intervention program is successful in raising awareness and preventing older patients' pressure ulcers from developing in hospitals. Recommendation : Application of a nursing intervention program as a highly recommended approach to prevent pressure ulcers in immobilized and hospitalized elderly patients.