Skin care intervention for pressure ulcer prevention among cardiac surgical patients

ABSTRACT

Patients undergoing cardiac surgery have increased risks for developing pressure ulcers. Inappropriate management of this condition can lead to serious negative outcomes. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of skin care intervention in preventing development of pressure ulcer among cardiac surgical patients. Quasi-experimental research design was applied. This study was conducted in the Intensive Care Unit of Open Heart Surgery at Mansoura University Hospital. Forty adult patients of both sexes undergoing cardiac surgery with intensive care unit [ICU] length of stay more than 6 days. Skin care intervention was applied consisting of nursing actions after determination of risk factors and pressure ulcer staging together with the Braden scale for pressure ulcer prediction. This was done at the time of admission and then every 12 hours throughout the ICU length of stay, Data revealed that 30% of patients maintained their skin integrity all over the study period, 10% developed skin breakdown and 60% experienced only erythema. The effect of nursing intervention was statistically significant. Hypertension, BMI >/= 25, duration of operation and score of Braden scale were the most significant risk factors in developing pressure ulcers. Only [5%] of the study sample remained on ulcer stage 3 by the end of the study. They showed extreme values in some risk factors. The prevention of pressure ulcers or their aggravation depends mainly on frequent assessments and constant application of skin care intervention