Evidence-Based Teaching Strategies for Assessing Pressure Injuries in Older Nursing Home Residents With Darker Skin Tones.

Aim: To describe the development and implementation of evidence-based teaching strategies for assessing and classifying pressure injuries in older nursing home individuals ≥ 60 years old with darker skin tones.

Design: Pressure injury assessment learning interventions based on pre- and post-test assessments.

Methods: The learning interventions were developed by experts in pressure injury education and were based on empirical evidence, international clinical practice guidelines, and underpinned by social constructivism theory and the integrated interactive teaching model. The teaching strategy was developed to educate research assistants in the assessment of pressure injuries in darker skin tone individuals. The content included requisite knowledge and skills for pressure injury assessment and classification in darker skinned individuals. Using evidence-based teaching strategies, the content was delivered through face-to-face lectures, small group discussions, and practical application sessions delivered using classroom and practical-based activities. Photographic images were used to assess their knowledge and skills in classifying pressure injuries. Four Bachelor of Nursing-qualified registered nurses in Sri Lanka were recruited as research assistants using the new education resource. Using scores from 1 to 20 points, mastery of the theory and practice components was assessed.

Results: The mean pre-test score was 9 ± 1.6 (95% confidence interval 6.4-11.6), demonstrating that assessment and classification of pressure injury knowledge were lacking. The mean post-test score was 16 ± 0.8 (95% confidence interval 14.7-17.3) indicating an improvement in the participants' ability to assess and staging pressure injuries.

Conclusion: Early pressure injury detection among older individuals with darker skin tones is challenging. This evidence-based teaching approach can be used to educate clinical nurses and research assistants in assessing pressure injuries in individuals with darker skin tones.

Clinical relevance: This study contributes to the body of knowledge by improving the early detection and accurate classification of pressure injuries in older nursing home residents with darker skin tones, addressing a significant gap in current nursing practice.