Methodology
Pressure ulcers can cause detrimental health effects on the patient if not prevented or managed properly. These conditions continue to remain a threat to patients despite advances in healthcare. A pressure ulcer is a localized injury of the skin and underlying tissue. They normally occur over bony prominence due to pressure and shear acting together on the bony surface. Pressure ulcers not only increase morbidity but also mortality in elderly and frail patients.
They may cause pain and suffering, and reduced the overall quality of life. The use of alternating-pressure air mattresses is one of the many ways of preventing pressure ulcer incidences. This is the third part of the research study; it will cover research design, sampling, data collection, data management, data analysis, ethical considerations, and possible limitations.
Research Design
This is a quantitative study using a quasi-experimental design. This study design is preferred considering the nature of this research study proposal. It will entail statistical analysis, hence, quantitative study (Maciejewski, 2020). All patients in the hospital will be recruited into the study, so, there will be no controlled arm. For that reason, there is no need to carry out randomization; it is for this reason that a quasi-experimental design is preferred (Rogers & Revesz, 2019).
This study design is one of the subtypes of non-experiments that tends to mimic true or randomized experiments but does not apply random assignment (Maciejewski, 2020). These participants will not be selected randomly; selection will be based on pre-existing conditions and certain attributes. Using a quasi-experimental design, a purposive sampling method can be utilized to ensure that only patients who are hospitalized and have limited mobility and are at higher risk of developing pressure ulcers (PUs) are selected for the study (Rogers & Revesz, 2019).
This study might take the retrospective approach so that the comparator group is patients who received care before the initiation of the program. Specific measures or outcomes will be evaluated retrospectively to identify any change before and after the intervention implementation.
Sampling
The study participants include hospitalized adult patients in a single unit with limited mobility who have a higher risk of developing pressure ulcers. Participants will be recruited based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria (Meaume & Marty, 2018). Inclusion criteria will include patients who have a higher risk of developing pressure ulcers, those with limited mobility, and those who are bed bound and/or chair-bound (Meaume & Marty, 2018).
In addition, patients must be18 years and above, not have pressure ulcers at the baseline visit, and be sitting in a chair during the day for at least four hours, lying between 15–20 hours per day on an alternating pressure air mattress. The Braden score will be used to assess the eligibility of these patients.
The main purpose of the Braden Scale is to help care providers and researchers measure the risk of developing pressure ulcers (Meaume & Marty, 2018). This instrument can help in planning effective interventions to prevent pressure injuries. The exclusion of patients presenting with malnutrition has been selected to meet the requirements of the French authorities for reimbursement by national health insurance.
Data Collection
Data collection will be conducted using various instruments including questionnaires. Data collection methods include observation and surveys/interviews (Mwita, 2022). A physician will assess the patients at the baseline after which the care team will monitor the patient, including skin condition at least once a day throughout the period (Ahtiala et al., 2018). At the baseline, information will be collected on regarding demographics (age, sex, weight, and height), unit, comorbidities (high blood pressure, diabetes, urinary incontinence); medical condition responsible for the situation involving risk of PU.
Other data include the duration of sitting time per day and time spent on the alternating pressure air mattresses. Braden scale will be used to assess the risk of pressure ulcers. The Karnofsky score will be used to assess the patient’s ability to move (Sauvage et al., 2017). All patients will be placed on alternating-pressure air mattresses throughout the period. Patient care teams will be instructed on the use of alternating-pressure air mattresses (AP). The healthcare team will practice the PU prevention care plan including the general rules on preventing PUs and specific instructions for each patient.
Data Measurement<
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