ABSTRACT
A controlled study was done to evaluate the efficacy of written guidelines on the prevention of pressure sores. Thirty-three hospitals in Thailand were enrolled from February to April 1991. The incidence of pressure sores in the 6 week control period was 8.7 per cent compared to 6.5 per cent in the study phase. Reduction of the complication was found in all medical, surgical and intensive care departments. Practices on the prevention of pressure sores by nurses were significantly improved regarding: positioning, seating, not pulling, and bed-bathing of patients. Massaging the immobilized parts and the application of supporting devices were not increased by the education programme. This method of education is simple and appropriate for hospitals in Thailand.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Child , Child, Preschool , Education, Nursing, Continuing , Female , Humans , Incidence , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Male , Middle Aged , Nursing Staff, Hospital/education , Pressure Ulcer/prevention & control , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
A study on SWI was done in 33 hospitals in Thailand between March 16 and May 15, 1992 involving 15,319 surgical wounds. The average incidence rate of SWI as 2.7 per cent. It was highest in provincial hospitals. Patients aged under 10 years and 51-60 years had higher rates of SWI. It was most prevalent in the surgical department followed in rank by accident and orthopaedic departments respectively. Wound types were the most important denominator of SWI; the incidence of SWI in dirty, contaminated, clean-contaminated and clean wounds were 9.7, 5.1, 1.5 and 1.3 per cent respectively. Antimicrobial prophylaxis were used in 76.7 per cent of the wounds. Ampicillin, gentamicin and cloxacillin were the commonly used drugs. Prevention of SWI needs to be improved in provincial hospitals and in the use of prophylactic antimicrobials.