Avaliação e prevenção da úlcera por pressão pelos enfermeiros de terapia intensiva : conhecimento e prática

Abstract

Objectives: to identify the profile of nurses in Intensive Care Center and investigate its knowledge of assessment and prevention for pressure ulcer in the said sector. Method: exploratory study, with a quantitative approach, held at four hospitals of João Pessoa/PB/northeastern of Brazil. Data collection occurred from January to April 2008, with questionnaires in three steps: socio-demographic profile of nurses, assessment and prevention of pressure ulcers. The statistical analysis was performed from descriptive techniques, demonstrated by absolute frequencies and percentages. The research project has been approved by the Research Ethics Committee, under Protocol Nº 03/2008. Results: the population was young, with 82.5% female; the accurate statements on assessment and prevention of pressure ulcers were respectively of 77.5% and 100.0. Conclusion: there was discrepancy between the knowledge demonstrated in the indices of hits on prevention and their actions revealed for the practical activities carried out in daily life.