To analyse the treatment of pressure ulcers (PU) in long-term care.
In this correlational cross-sectional study, data was collected between November 2015 and January 2016 from older people with PUs ...in private and public long-term care facilities in Finland. Data collection was conducted by trained nurses using the Pressure Ulcer Patient Instrument (PUP-Ins). Outcomes measured were: prevalence and localisation of PU, local PU treatment, frequency (how often/week/day) and duration (minutes/week or day) of PU treatment.
In total, 112 patients with 158 PUs were identified (a prevalence rate of 5%). PUs were located most often on the heel (38%), hip (13%), buttocks (10%) and lateral malleolus (9.5%). The most frequently used PU treatment was skin protecting agents and local wound care products. The most typical treatment in category I, II and III PUs were foam dressings. In category III PUs, ribbon gauze dressings were also used. The most typical products for category IV PUs were complex dressings. Category I PUs received more treatment per day or week than other categories of PUs.
PU treatment is inconsistent and often conducted with varying methods and products. Holistic patient care must be the focus. Nurses in long-term care settings might benefit from in-depth in-service education focusing on the treatment of PUs. More research is needed about nurses' competence in PU treatment.
Pressure ulcers (PU) in patients with hip fracture remain a problem. Incidence of between 8·8% and 55% have been reported. There are few studies focusing on the specific patient‐, surgery‐ and ...care‐related risk indicators in this group. The aims of the study were
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to investigate prevalence and incidence of PU upon arrival and at discharge from hospital and to identify potential intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors for development of PU in patients admitted for hip fracture surgery.
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to illuminate potential differences in patient logistics, surgery, PU prevalence and incidence and care between Northern and Southern Europe. Consecutive patients with hip fracture in six countries, Sweden, Finland, UK (North) and Spain, Italy and Portugal (South), were included. The patients were followed from Accident and Emergency Department and until discharge or 7 days. Prevalence, PU at discharge and incidence were investigated, and intrinsic and extrinsic risk indicators, including waiting time for surgery and duration of surgery were recorded. Of the 635 patients, 10% had PU upon arrival and 22% at discharge (26% North and 16% South). The majority of ulcers were grade 1 and none was grade 4. Cervical fractures were more common in the North and trochanteric in the South. Waiting time for surgery and duration of surgery were significantly longer in the South. Traction was more common in the South and perioperative warming in the North. Risk factors of statistical significance correlated to PU at discharge were age ≥71 (P = 0·020), dehydration (P = 0·005), moist skin (P = 0·004) and total Braden score (P = 0·050) as well as subscores for friction (P = 0·020), nutrition (P = 0·020) and sensory perception (P = 0·040). Comorbid conditions of statistical significance for development of PU were diabetes (P = 0·005) and pulmonary disease (P = 0·006). Waiting time for surgery, duration of surgery, warming or non warming perioperatively, type of anaesthesia, traction and type of fracture were not significantly correlated with development of PU.
Several studies have shown that mastectomy causes psychosocial disturbances and problems with body image. Patients experience inconvenience with an external prosthesis. Reconstruction can correct ...these disturbances and make prosthesis redundant. This prospective study was designed to evaluate satisfaction among women who underwent delayed breast reconstruction. The study population consisted of 75 women operated at Töölö Hospital from August to December 1999. Sixty-seven operations were free microvascular transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous reconstructions and eight were latissimus dorsi flap reconstructions. The response rate was 80% at both 3 and 6 months postoperatively. The main reason why the women sought reconstruction was the inconvenience of the prosthesis. Preoperative expectations were fulfilled in 90% of patients. An overwhelming majority expressed satisfaction with the outcome. The most often reported benefit was having a new breast of one's own. The main drawbacks were the difficult operation and the unexpectedly long recovery time. Reconstruction alleviated markedly neck, shoulder, and back pain. There was no change in patient self-esteem but there was a substantial positive change in how they felt about their looks. The authors suggest that breast reconstruction should be offered as an option to all women undergoing mastectomy.
Pressure ulcers (PU) in patients with hip fracture remain a problem. Incidence of between 8.8% and 55% have been reported. There are few studies focusing on the specific patient-, surgery- and ...care-related risk indicators in this group. The aims of the study were: - to investigate prevalence and incidence of PU upon arrival and at discharge from hospital and to identify potential intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors for development of PU in patients admitted for hip fracture surgery, - to illuminate potential differences in patient logistics, surgery, PU prevalence and incidence and care between Northern and Southern Europe. Consecutive patients with hip fracture in six countries, Sweden, Finland, UK (North) and Spain, Italy and Portugal (South), were included. The patients were followed from Accident and Emergency Department and until discharge or 7 days. Prevalence, PU at discharge and incidence were investigated, and intrinsic and extrinsic risk indicators, including waiting time for surgery and duration of surgery were recorded. Of the 635 patients, 10% had PU upon arrival and 22% at discharge (26% North and 16% South). The majority of ulcers were grade 1 and none was grade 4. Cervical fractures were more common in the North and trochanteric in the South. Waiting time for surgery and duration of surgery were significantly longer in the South. Traction was more common in the South and perioperative warming in the North. Risk factors of statistical significance correlated to PU at discharge were age >or=71 (P = 0.020), dehydration (P = 0.005), moist skin (P = 0.004) and total Braden score (P = 0.050) as well as subscores for friction (P = 0.020), nutrition (P = 0.020) and sensory perception (P = 0.040). Comorbid conditions of statistical significance for development of PU were diabetes (P = 0.005) and pulmonary disease (P = 0.006). Waiting time for surgery, duration of surgery, warming or non warming perioperatively, type of anaesthesia, traction and type of fracture were not significantly correlated with development of PU.
Patients' satisfaction is widely recognised as an important measure of the quality of care. This study measured patients' satisfaction with the outcome of breast reconstruction surgery and reduction ...mammaplasty and with the treatment received in hospital. A questionnaire about patients' reasons for having the operation and postoperative satisfaction was therefore sent to 137 patients after breast reconstruction and 142 who had had reduction mammaplasty. The response rate in the former group was 84% and in the latter 65%. In both groups of patients the main reasons for having the operation were difficulties with physical activities and in finding clothes to fit. Other factors were poor self-esteem and problems with body image. A total of 69% of the patients who had had reconstructions referred to problems with wearing an external prosthesis. In the reduction mammaplasty group one of the most important reasons for having the operation was pain, in particular neck, shoulder, and back pain. In the reconstruction group 94%, and in the reduction group 88%, thought the outcome of the operation was good or very good. They had no regrets about their decision to seek surgical treatment, even when the aesthetic outcome fell short of their expectations. The patients were generally satisfied with the treatment they had received. In the reconstruction group 97%, and in the reduction group 96%, of patients felt satisfied with their overall decision to have the operation. Our results confirm that these surgical procedures help to improve patients' quality of life. Among the patients who had had reconstructions, the resolved problems with body image were considered to be the main benefit of the operation. In the reduction group the main benefits were reduced neck, shoulder, and back pain. In both groups 91% of patients would have recommended the operation to a friend under similar circumstances. In the light of this evidence doctors should more readily recommend reconstruction to patients after mastectomy and reduction to women with heavy breasts.
The purpose of this descriptive study was to produce knowledge of the degree of pressure ulcers, pressure ulcer patients' physical and psychological well‐being and the association of these factors ...with pressure ulcers' severity. These patients were treated in Finland's capital area hospitals. The pressure ulcer patients' sampling was gathered during 1 day with two questionnaires, which was completed by nurses. The response rate was 94%, and data analysis was based on percentage distributions. Statistical association was tested with the χ2 test. The measurement identified 164 patients with a total of 257 pressure ulcers. Prevalence was 6.4%. Most of the ulcers (40%) were grade II ulcers. Fifty‐six per cent of patients suffered poor general health, 63% of the patients were immobile, but psychological well‐being was better with 29% of pressure ulcer patients being adequately motivated to follow treatment for their pressure ulcers. It is essential to identify high‐risk patients in order to provide optimal care.
Previous pressure ulcer risk assessment scales appear to have relied on opinions about risk factors and are based on care setting rather than research evidence. Utilizing 21 existing risk assessment ...scales and relevant risk factor literature, an instrument was developed by Finnish researchers that takes into account individual patient risk factors, devices and methods applied in nursing care, and organizational characteristics. The instrument underwent two pilot tests to assess the relevance and clarity of the instrument: the first involved 43 nurses and six patients; the second involved 50 nurses with expertise in wound care. Changes to questionnaire items deemed necessary as a result of descriptive analysis and agreement percentages were completed. After pilot testing, the final instrument addressed the following issues: 1) patient risks: activity, mobility in bed, mental status, nutrition, urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, sensory perception, and skin condition; 2) devices and methods used in patient care: technical devices, bed type, mattress, overlay, seat cushions, and care methods; and 3) staff number and structure, maximum number of beds, and beds in use (the last group of questions were included to ensure participants understood the items; results were not analyzed). The phases of the study provided an expeditious means of data collection and a suitable opportunity to assess how the instrument would function in practice. Instrument reliability and validity were improved as a result of the pilot testing and can be enhanced further with continued use and assessment.
Unorganized care on chronic wounds is expensive. Resources are focused on the care of complicated wounds, although a significant proportion of the wounds could be prevented or treated at an early ...stage. Good care is cost-effective, a delayed care and inoperative treatment chain will waste money and resources. Specialization of medical and nursing staff in wound care will improve treatment outcome. Prerequisites for the necessary care must be guaranteed by creating a complete treatment path for problematic wounds in the capital region.
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