Introduction
Battling pressure ulcers has been identified as an issue of urgent importance. The central aim of many studies related to the condition remains to be raising awareness about taking immediate action. Despite millions of people being affected by pressure ulcers, it is not taken as seriously as cardiovascular system diseases or other conditions. Additionally, treatment plans are described vaguely without reference to the extent of their healing properties. Hence, the emphasis must be placed on identifying specific methods of improving ulcer treatment.
Strengths related to the issue
A major strong point related to the treatment of pressure ulcers is the significance of condition prevention. The main ways of pressure ulcer treatment have been identified in Quality Improvement Project 1 as anti bedsores mattresses, protection of vulnerable spots, adherence to hygiene rules, and regular change of position of a person’s body. These methods serve for both prevention and treatment; moreover, the importance of prevention is accentuated. According to an observational study, extensively experienced staff successfully treated patients with pressure ulcers and prevented some from developing them (Saleh et al., 2019). The conducted research has already identified effective treatment methods, meaning that medical employees can educate themselves on the topic, providing the most effective management of the issue.
Weaknesses related to the issue
Unfortunately, not all medical staff members who possess knowledge of methods of prevention apply it to their patients’ cases. An observational study demonstrated that while 74.5% of nurses knew ways of pressure ulcer prevention, only 49.2% implemented those (Saleh et al., 2019). The statistics emphasize the lack of significance placed on the issue, as well as poor practical experience of working with patients that show evident symptoms of it. Another study demonstrated a negative attitude of nurses specifically regarding pressure ulcer prevention.
Opportunities for improvement related to the issue
Having identified the main weakness regarding the issue’s treatment as a lack of proper prevention knowledge or practice, it is critical to determine ways to improve that. According to Etafa’s (2018) study on barriers to pressure ulcer prevention, heavy workload and inadequate staff were the main points to be resolved. Furthermore, not having the proper equipment and materials or training was also problematic for nurses working with the condition. In this way, the key opportunities for improvement would include providing nurses with the necessary modern equipment and classes to ensure adequate staff training. Additionally, medical staff needs to be as aware of the issue’s severity to avoid negative attitudes to its prevention and treatment.
Threats of improvement related to the issue
The main threat to improvement includes economic limitations and poor management in institutions where treatment is provided. The previously mentioned points for improvement might be problematic to enforce worldwide. First of all, not all hospitals are well equipped or funded to provide the necessary environment for patients. Secondly, extra training for medical personnel also requires additional shift hours and funds from the institution or employees. If nurses continue to view pressure ulcer prevention plans negatively, the issue will not be resolved effectively. Misinformation about the condition’s mildness also negatively affects the process of dealing with the matter.
Action plan for quality improvement
To maximize the effectiveness of pressure ulcer treatment and prevention plans, certain organizational elements must be modified. In this way, hospitals and medical employees must prioritize the issue themselves by practicing treatment methods and adapting to new technological skills. Government-funded institutions must recognize the need to request modern equipment and materials for proper treatment. Institution managers and authoritative figures must acknowledge the need for these modifications to effectively prevent one of the most significant medical conditions from affecting people’s lives.
References
Etafa, W., Argaw, Z., Gemechu, E. et al. (2018). Nurses’ attitude and perceived barriers to pressure ulcer prevention. BMC Nursing 17, (14). Web.
Saleha, M.Y.N., Papanikolaou, P., Nassar, O., Shahin, A., Anthony, D. (2019). Nurses’ knowledge and practice of pressure ulcer prevention and treatment: an observational study. Journal of tissue viability 28 (4), 210-217. Web.