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Biomedical subjects

J Maklebust

Publications and source records attributed to J Maklebust.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

An instrument to measure healing in pressure ulcers: development and validation of the pressure ulcer scale for healing (PUSH).

BACKGROUND: Currently, there is no instrument that provides an accurate and simple method of monitoring pressure ulcer healing in clinical practice. This article reports the two studies that were conducted to assess the validity of the Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing (PUSH) as a tool to monitor healing of stage II-IV pressure ulcers. METHODS: Subjects in both studies (N = 103 and N = 269) were elderly (mean Study 1, 75 years, mean Study 2, 80 years), and the majority were women (Study 1, 51%, Study 2, 70%). Study data were extracted from patients' permanent records. RESULTS: Principal components analysis confirmed that the PUSH tool accounted for 58% to 74% of the wound healing variance over a 10-week period in Study 1 and 40% to 57% of the wound healing variance over a 12-week period in Study 2. In addition, multiple regression analysis, used to measure the sensitivity of the model to total healing, showed PUSH accounted for 39% of the variance in 6 weeks and 31% of the variance over 12 weeks (p <.001; Studies 1 and 2, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Data from these two studies confirmed that the PUSH tool, with the components of length times width, exudate amount, and tissue type, is a valid and sensitive measure of pressure ulcer healing. It is a practical approach that provides clinically valid data regarding pressure ulcer healing. Further testing is needed to confirm these findings.

Aged↗

Preventing pressure ulcers in home care patients.

A large proportion of home care patients present with pressure ulcers, and many more patients are at risk. Home care nurses have an opportunity to manipulate favorably certain environmental factors that can prevent pressure ulcers from forming and to develop effective treatment plans for ulcers once they occur. This article discusses the current practice for pressure ulcer prevention. Next month, a companion article will explore treatment strategies for these wounds.

Algorithms↗

Treating pressure ulcers in the home.

A large proportion of home care patients have pressure ulcers as the primary diagnosis or secondary to other conditions. In the April 1999 issue of this journal, the author presented current research and discussed how environmental factors can be manipulated to prevent pressure ulcers in home care patients. This companion article focuses on treatment strategies and clinical approaches in caring for patients who present with pressure ulcers.

Algorithms↗

An update on horizontal patient support surfaces.

Horizontal patient support surfaces play an important role in the prevention and development of pressure ulcers. This article reviews the literature published on these support surfaces since the release of the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR) Clinical Practice Guideline Number 15: Treatment of Pressure Ulcers. The purpose of this review is twofold: One, to see if any new evidence is available to assist the clinician in making scientifically based decisions in the use of support surfaces, and two, to determine if new knowledge about support surfaces would change the AHCPR recommendation.

Beds↗

Interrupting the pressure ulcer cycle.

Pressure ulcers represent a significant health care problem for older adults and patients with chronic disease. The National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP) estimates that over 1 million people in America suffer from pressure ulcers. Reported pressure ulcer prevalence varies widely and pressure ulcer incidence is difficult and labor-intensive to track; however, nursing has both a responsibility and an opportunity to help decrease the number of individuals who suffer from pressure ulcers. This article suggests ways that nurses can assist with improving care for patients at risk for pressure ulceration.

Adult↗

Pressure ulcer assessment.

Pressure ulcer assessment requires quantification of multiple parameters of the ulcer and periulcer tissue. Clinical assessment should include ulcer history (including etiology, duration, and prior treatment), anatomic location, stage, size (including length, width, and depth measured in centimeters), sinus tracts, undermining, tunneling, exudate or drainage, necrotic tissue (slough and eschar), presence or absence of granulation tissue, and epithelialization. In addition, the ulcer borders can provide clues to healing potential. Intact skin surrounding the ulcer should be assessed for redness, warmth, induration or hardness, swelling, and any obvious signs of clinical infection. Pressure ulcer associated pain should be assessed prior to examination of the ulcer.

Anthropometry↗

Policy implications of using reverse staging to monitor pressure ulcer status.

In 1995, the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel held its Fourth National Conference, "Pressure Ulcer Healing: Controversy to Consensus, Assessment Methods and Outcomes." At that time, agreement was reached on uses and misuses of the current pressure ulcer staging system. Participants agreed that pressure ulcer staging definitions should not be used in reverse order to measure improvement in an ulcer. Negative outcomes of reverse staging were seen as (1) denial of acute or skilled care after Stage IV ulcers were restaged as Stage II ulcers; (2) withdrawal of pressure-reducing support surfaces when ulcers "healed" from Stage III or Stage IV to Stage II; and (3) lower fees paid to extended-care facilities for care of patients with healing Stage III and Stage IV ulcers that were reclassified as Stage II or Stage I pressure ulcers.

Health Policy↗

Pressure ulcer scale for healing: derivation and validation of the PUSH tool. The PUSH Task Force.

Measuring progress toward healing is fundamental to the management of pressure ulcers. A method to assess progress of an individual ulcer over time is lacking. Given the limitations of currently available instruments and the need for a precise and practical method of monitoring healing in clinical practice, the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel initiated the development of a new tool for measuring pressure ulcer healing. The key elements in developing an instrument include simplicity of use in clinical settings, validity for measuring whether ulcers are improving or worsening, and sensitivity to changes in the ulcer between observations. A new tool incorporating surface area, exudate amount, and surface appearance is proposed. Content validity, correlation validity, prospective validity, and sensitivity to change can be met by the proposed Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing instrument.

Humans↗

PUSH Tool reality check: audience response. Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing.

Following presentation of the Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing (PUSH), conference participants broke into small discussion groups according to their practice settings: acute care, long-term care, and home care/outpatient care. Questions were posed to participants regarding the reality of using the PUSH Tool in their practice settings. These questions were structured to elicit comments about: (1) the characteristics of the PUSH Tool; (2) the validity, reliability, and practicality of the PUSH Tool; and (3) education and implementation requirements prior to use of the PUSH Tool. This article summarizes their comments, which will be used in refining the PUSH Tool.

Acute Disease↗

Using wound care products to promote a healing environment.

Healing is characterized by the synthesis of new tissue and scar formation. Despite the complexity of healing with full-thickness injury, the repair process occurs in a predictable manner. There are four basic principles of wound care: (1) debride necrotic tissue and cleanse the wound to remove debris, (2) provide a moist wound healing environment through the use of proper dressings, (3) protect the wound from further injury, and (4) provide nutritional substrates essential to the healing process. Most importantly, any underlying pathophysiology must be treated or the wound will not heal. Products selected to create a healing environment must be chosen thoughtfully and scientific rationale must support their use. Intensive care nurses have the opportunity to get the patient off to the right start by attending to the basic principles elucidated in this article. Accurate wound assessment and appropriate product choices can promote a healing environment. Intensive care of patients includes differentiating wound types and making appropriate wound care product decisions that ultimately affect patient outcomes.

Bandages↗

Risk factors associated with having a pressure ulcer: a secondary data analysis.

Data obtained through five hospital-wide pressure ulcer audits were pooled for exploratory analysis. The purpose of this secondary data analysis was (1) to delineate the association of various risk factors and the presence of pressure ulcers and (2) to generate specific, testable hypotheses. Risk factors studied included fecal incontinence, urinary incontinence, malnutrition, impaired mobility, decreased mental status, diabetes mellitus, peripheral vascular disease, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, and metastatic carcinoma. Stepwise logistic regression resulted in a best-fitting model that included fecal incontinence, impaired mobility, malnutrition, decreased mental status, and an interaction effect between fecal incontinence and impaired mobility. This model suggested that the odds of having a pressure ulcer were 22 times greater for hospitalized adult patients with fecal incontinence compared to hospitalized adult patients without fecal incontinence.

Adolescent↗

Policy & practice.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Health Policy↗

Approaches to patient and family education for pressure ulcer management.

The Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR) guidelines for pain management, urinary incontinence, and pressure ulcers emphasize the importance of patient and family education. Patient teaching strategies are discussed by using the example of pressure ulcer management. The family is invited into an educational partnership through needs assessment and mutual goal setting. Teaching strategies that involve the learner and are adapted for the home setting are most effective. Evaluation of teaching should be in terms of patient outcomes.

Family↗