Knowledge, attitudes and practices of intensive care nurses on prevention of pressure injuries: Observation research

Objective: To examine the knowledge, attitude and care practices of intensive care nurses on the prevention of pressure injuries. Materials and Methods: The sample of the descriptive and observational study consisted of 25 nurses working in the 3rd level intensive care unit in Isparta City Hospital. The data of the study were collected with the "Nurse Information Form", "Modified Pieper Pressure Wound Knowledge Test", "Attitude Scale to Prevent Pressure Ulcers". Nurses' care practices to prevent pressure injury were evaluated by observing with the "Care Practices for Preventing Pressure Injury Observation Form". Each nurse was observed by three participant observers for a total of 72 hours between 08:00 and 08:00 (24-hour shift). Each observer made a total of 1800 hours of observation. Results: The knowledge level of intensive care nurses about prevention of pressure injuries item total score average was 37.12±5.23 (Min.=24-Max.=47); The total mean score of the attitude levels towards preventing pressure injuries is 44.36±3.93 (Min.=32-Max.=51). The overall score average of nurses' observation of care practices to prevent pressure injuries was 9.34±1.75 (Min.=4.89-Max.=12.83). It was found that there was a statistically significant correlation between the mean total score of the nurses' level of attitudes towards preventing pressure injuries and the general score average of observation of care practices to prevent pressure injuries (r=0.566, p<0.05). However, it was determined that there was no statistically significant relationship between the nurses' knowledge, attitude and care practices to prevent pressure injuries and their total score averages (p>0.05). Conclusion: It was observed that the knowledge level of intensive care nurses on preventing pressure injury was sufficient, and the level of attitude increased as age and professional experience increased. The development of positive attitudes towards preventing pressure injuries in nurses increases the care practices of these nurses. Key Words: Pressure injury, knowledge, observation, prevention, attitude, intensive care nursing