Accuracy of Nurses' Assessments of Pressure Ulcers in Hospitalized Patients

간호사의 입원환자 욕창 사정에 대한 정확성

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the accuracy of general nurses' assessments of pressure ulcers in hospitalized patients. Methods: A total of 129 nursing records of assessments on pressure ulcers were analyzed. Assessment records of pressure ulcers by general nurses were compared to those by Wound, Ostomy, Continence Nurses (WOCN) on the same pressure ulcers. A WOCN of a nursing unit was a nurse certified by the hospital after completion of a formal WOCN course and passing a cyber education course, both offered by the hospital. The formal WOCN course was taught by an internationally certified WOCN. The inter-rater reliability among WOCNs was 98.2%. General nurses in this study did not receive a structured pressure ulcer education. Results: The accuracy for nursing assessment of pressure ulcers by general nurses compared to WOCNs' were evaluated in various ways and resulted in as follows; the existence of pressure ulcer 91.4%, site of pressure ulcer 85.3%, stage of pressure ulcer 85.3%, Braden scale 36.3%, size of pressure ulcer 51.9~64.3%, details of pressure ulcer 0~100%. Conclusion: The structured education about pressure ulcer assessment is important to enhance the accuracy of pressure ulcer assessment of hospitalized patients by general nurses.