[Pressure ulcer prevention in German hospitals. An analysis of nursing practice with regard to guideline recommendations].
Pressure ulcers are still a common health problem. Prevention and therapy of pressure ulcers require extensive nursing resources. Based on epidemiological data the use of preventive interventions and devices in hospital patients at risk was analysed. One object of this study was to compare the nursing practice with the recommendations given by a national practice guideline about pressure ulcer prevention by the German Network for Quality Development in Nursing (DNQP). Since 2002 each year a study has been conducted in order to investigate the prevalence of pressure ulcers in German hospitals. For the present study data of 9159 patients at pressure ulcer risk collected in three years (from 2002 to 2004) were analysed.


RESULTS
In the course of the investigated period interventions and devices were increasingly adjusted to the recommendations of the guideline. This trend appears to be slightly, but it is noticeable. The number of process requirements realised for each patient increased particularly if patients showed a high risk or a pressure ulcer was already present. To improve the quality of care preferably all process criteria according to the guideline should be considered if preventive measures are planned.
Bielitz
Harald
H
Berufliches Schulzentrum für Gesundheit und Sozialwesen, Dresden. HBielitz@web.de
Hertel
Frank
F
Mertens
Elke
E
Halfens
Ruud
R
D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005858:Germany; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000592:standards; D009736:Nursing Process / Q000592:standards; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000451:nursing* / Q000517:prevention & control