Published study: knowledge and attitudes regarding pressure injuries among assistant nurses in a clinical context

Recently, an article about assistant nurses’ knowledge and attitude regarding pressure injuries was published in the scientific journal International Wound Journal.

Pressure injuries, which is primarily caused by pressure and/or shearing of the skin, often result in severe pain and reduced quality of life. While pressure injuries are largely preventable, prevalence remains high. In order to prevent such injuries, knowledge and attitudes regarding pressure injuries of nursing staff is crucial. Assistant nurses often have close contact with the patient, and are generally actively involved in the risk assessment of pressure injuries. As such, it is essential to evaluate knowledge and attitudes regarding pressure injuries among assistant nurses, in order to identify potential knowledge gaps and determine educational needs and preferences for pressure injury training.

In the present study, 88 assistant nurses responded to questionnaires, which included the PUKAT 2.0 tool to assess pressure injury knowledge. This was then followed by a learning seminar during which the correct answers to the PUKAT 2.0 tool were presented, and participants had opportunity to ask questions.

Results of the study showed a significant knowledge deficiency in pressure injury prevention, with only three participants demonstrating satisfactory knowledge. Assistant nurses did however demonstrate satisfactory attitude scores, regardless of the knowledge assessment. Assistant nurses reported gaining new insights into pressure injuries and their prevention from the learning seminar.

Read the full article Knowledge and attitudes regarding pressure injuries among assistant nurses in a clinical context. The article was written by Charlotte Bjurbo, Elisabeth Wetzer, David Thunborg, Li Zhang,and Lisa Hultin.