A Study on Prevalence and Nursing Intervention of Bed Sore Patients who Received Regional Home Care Services

Kim, Keum Soon; Cho, Nam Ok; Park, Young Suk

Abstract

This study was to identify the nursing intervention method in finding out the incidence, risk factor, prevention and treatment of bed sore clients who received regional home care nursing services. The eleven home care nurse practitioners took the survey on 97 patients who received home care nursing service from Seoul City Nurses Association for one month from September 26 to October 26 1996. A modified version of Braden's bed sore assessment tool for bed sore risks and a tool for assessment of bed sore stage and measurement bed sore sizes by Bergstrom, Barden, Laguzza and Holman(1987) were as research tools for this study and a questionnaire with 40 questions and 12 items on nursing activities was used to find out the prevention and treatment of bed sores. Also, two open ended questions were used on current approaches and efforts of the treatment being applied to clients. The finding of the study were summarized as following : 1. The rate of bed sore occurrence was 47.4%. 2. The areas of bed sore occurrence were hip(28.9%), sacrum(18.6%), great trochanter(14.4%) and the average number of sore spots were 2.26. 3. Two groups-one with bed sores and the other without were studied to determine prediction factors for bed sore risks. Sensory function, humidity, level of activity, mobility, nutrition, skin friction and chapping and body temperature turned out to be statistically significant factors for bed sores. Also the age of clients turned out to be a individual characteristic variable significantly affecting the rate of bed sore occurrences. 4. The education for clients and family on systematic skin assessment and bed sores and practice of active/passive R.O.M are mainly used as nursing activities for bed sore care. 5. The treatment method varied by stages of bed sores. Sometimes folk remedies like applying the powders of dried elm tree roots to sores were used. Good nutrition, frequent position change and skin care turned to be the most effective means to fast recovery of sores.