Knowledge and Practice Regarding Pressure Injury Prevention among Nurses at King Abdul-Aziz Specialist Hospital

Abstract

Context: Preventing hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPI) poses a significant challenge within tertiary service hospitals. These skin lesions cause discomfort and elevate the risk of severe infections, leading to increased healthcare costs and a high mortality rate due to sepsis. Thus, prevention requires an interdisciplinary approach to care.

Aim: To determine knowledge and practice regarding pressure injury prevention among nurses at King Abdulaziz Specialist Hospital (KAASH). 

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive research design was utilized in the current study. One hundred fifty-two staff nurses who work in inpatient units at KAASH were recruited. The researchers developed the knowledge assessment questionnaire and self-reported practice scale. They were used to assess the nursing staff's knowledge and self-reported practice regarding pressure injury prevention and barriers affecting it.

Results: Out of the 152 participants, most were women (93.4%) and held a bachelor's degree (88.8%). The mean score for nurses' knowledge concerning preventing pressure injuries (PI) was 6.82±1.89 out of 10. Similarly, the mean score for nurses implementing PI prevention practices was 23.48± 2.81 out of 27. A statistically significant relationship was observed between participants' knowledge of PI prevention and their education, experience, source of PI education, and the most recent PI training attended (p<0.05). Additionally, a statistically significant association was found between participants' implementation of PI prevention practices and their experience level (p<0.05). Furthermore, a significant positive correlation was identified between participants' knowledge and their practices regarding PI prevention (p<0.05). The reported barriers to effective PI prevention included a shortage of staff (lack of aids) reported by 85.52% of participants, and inadequate facilities and equipment mentioned by 69.07%.

Conclusion: The results suggest that most nurses possessed a moderate level of knowledge regarding preventing pressure injuries (PI), whereas a significant portion, more than two-thirds of the participants, demonstrated a high degree of commitment to effective PI prevention practices. Developing continuous PI prevention and management training and overcoming barriers to optimal PI prevention practices can be helpful. Finally, monitoring and follow-up are important to ensure the nurses' compliance.