Reduction of the incidence of pressure sores by an education program on nursing care.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether an education and campaign program would reduce the incidence of pressure sores. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The study was performed in a 1,400-bed teaching hospital in Thailand with a total number of 697patients from 47 wards for a point prevalence study; 1,201 and 1,268 patients from 12 wards to determine whether reduction of pressure sore occurrence would be obtained by an education program. RESULTS: The point prevalence of pressure sores was 10.8%. The significant risk factors were age older than 60 years, fecal incontinence, and history of diarrhea. The occurrence of pressure sores was significantly reduced after the educational program from 9.91% to 5. 76%. The education on patient care aiming at reduction of the occurrence of pressure sores could be adopted nation-wide in order to reduce the morbidity, mortality and expenses. CONCLUSION: The education program was effective in reducing the incidence of pressure sores.

Roles of infection control nurses in university hospitals.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the roles of infection control nurses (ICNs) in university hospitals. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Interviewing 23 ICNs in 6 university hospitals applying for hospital accreditation during March and April 2002. RESULTS: The ICNs had an average work experience of 11.3 years. The roles relatively well carried out by the ICNs were: administration, outbreak investigation, personnel health, education, consultation. Better performance was needed in the roles of presenting surveillance data to infection control committee, research and analyzing the needs and expectation of patients related to IC. CONCLUSION: Infection control nurses in university hospitals could perform their roles relatively well. However, better roles in surveillance, research and quality improvement need to be developed.