Prevention of heel pressure ulcers among older patients - from ambulance care to hospital discharge: a multi-centre randomized controlled trial
2016 (English)In: Applied Nursing Research, ISSN 0897-1897, E-ISSN 1532-8201, Vol. 30, p. 170-175Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Resource type
Text
Abstract [en]
The aim was to investigate the effect of an early intervention, a heel suspension device boot, on the incidence of heel pressure ulcers among older patients (aged 70 +). Background: Pressure ulcers are a global healthcare issue; furthermore, the heel is an exposed location. Research indicates that preventive nursing interventions starting during the ambulance care and used across the acute care delivery chain are seldom used. Methods: A multi-centre randomized control study design was used. Five ambulance stations, two emergency departments and 16 wards at two Swedish hospitals participated. Altogether, 183 patients were transferred by ambulance to the emergency department and were thereafter admitted to one of the participating wards. Results: Significantly fewer patients in the intervention group (n=15 of 103; 14.6%) than the control group (n=24 of 80; 30%) developed heel pressure ulcers during their hospital stay (p=0.017). Conclusions: Pressure ulcer prevention should start early in the acute care delivery chain to increase patient safety.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2016. Vol. 30, p. 170-175
Keywords [en]
Acute care delivery chain, Ambulance care, Emergency department, Heel pressure ulcer, Prevention, RCT
National Category
Nursing
Research subject
Health-Promoting Work
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:hig:diva-21361DOI: 10.1016/j.apnr.2015.10.003ISI: 000375340300031PubMedID: 27091274Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-84960921603OAI: oai:DiVA.org:hig-21361DiVA, id: diva2:915226
Projects
PUP
Note
Funding Agency:
Uppsala-Orebro Regional Research Council, Uppsala County Council, County Council of Varmland, University of Gävle, Karlstad University, Uppsala University, Uppsala University Hospital, ETAC AB
2016-03-292016-03-292020-02-10Bibliographically approved