title: The role of patients in pressure injury prevention: a survey of acute care patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pressure injury prevention (PIP) is an important area of patient safety. Encouraging patient participation in care is a growing trend in healthcare as it can increase adherence to treatment plans and improve outcomes. Patients in acute care settings may be able to take on an active role in PIP. However, there is limited information on patients' views of their perceived role in PIP. The aims of our study were to survey hospitalised patients' views on a) their perceived roles in PIP and, b) factors that enable or inhibit patient participation in PIP strategies.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eligible participants were 18 years of age or older, from a neurology or orthopaedic ward and had been admitted to hospital at least 24 hours prior to enrolment in the study. A questionnaire comprising of fixed and open-ended responses was administered by researchers to participants. Numerical data was analysed descriptively and free-text comments were content-analysed and grouped into themes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of participants (n = 51) was 65 years (sd = 16.6); over half were female and three quarters were orthopaedic surgical patients. Eighty-six per cent of participants understood the concept of pressure injury and 80% agreed that patients have a role in PIP. Participants nominated the following PIP strategies that could be undertaken by patients: Keep skin healthy; Listen to your body and Looking after the inside. Strategies required for patient participation in PIP were represented by three themes: Manage pain and discomfort; Work together; Ongoing PI education.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To ensure successful participation in PIP, patients require education throughout admission, management of pain and discomfort and a supportive and collaborative relationship with health care staff. Health professionals should identify patient ability and motivation to prevent pressure injury (PI), work in partnership with patients to adhere to PIP, and ensure that PIP actions are facilitated with appropriate pain relief.
authors.affiliation: Nursing Research Institute - St Vincents Health Australia, Sydney and Australian Catholic University (NRI), St Vincent's Hospital, Level 5, deLacy Building, 390 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010 Australia ; School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine, Australian Catholic University, 33 Berry Street, North Sydney, NSW 2060 Australia.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: McInnes
authors.affiliation: NHMRC National Centre for Research Excellence in Nursing (NCREN) Centre for Health Practice Innovation, Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University - Gold Coast, Gold Coast campus, Griffith University, QLD 4222 Australia.
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chaboyer
authors.affiliation: St Vincent's Private Hospital, Sydney, Level 4, 406 Victoria St, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010 Australia.
authors.forename: Edel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Murray
authors.affiliation: Nursing Research Institute - St Vincents Health Australia, Sydney and Australian Catholic University (NRI), St Vincent's Hospital, Level 5, deLacy Building, 390 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010 Australia.
authors.forename: Todd
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.affiliation: SVH Nursing Division Nurse Education & Development Centre, St Vincents Hospital, 390 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010 Australia.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jones
keywords: Patient participation; Patient views; Pressure injury prevention