The Effect of Nurses’ Compliance to Evidence Based Guidelines on Pressure Ulcers Prevention for Critical Patients

Critically ill patients are among the most vulnerable groups that exposed to pressure ulcer because of limited physical activity. Aim: To evaluate the effect of nurses' compliance to evidence-based guidelines on pressure ulcers prevention for critical patients. Design: A Quesi experimental research design (pre- and post-test). Sample: A purposive sample of (55) nurses who agreed to participate in the study. Setting: The study was carried out at four intensive care units (Cardiothoracic, Neurological, Urology, and Trauma) that were affiliated to Minia University Hospital. Tools: Two tools were used for data collection prepared by the researcher. First tool: Structured questionnaire sheet, includes two parts, 1st Part: Nurses’ structured interview sheet about socio-demographic data, 2nd Part: Knowledge Assessment Questionnaire Sheet about pressure ulcer. Second tool: Pressure ulcer guidelines checklist for practice covered the following items regarding PUs (Maintenance of skin integrity, Skin care and prevention of urinary incontinence). Results: Nurses' knowledge and practice were statistically significance difference at the pre-test (before education three months) which lead to low compliance and at I (post-test) and II (follow-up) (after three months from education) that improve nurses' compliance presented by P value (0.000). Conclusion: nurses’ knowledge and practice improved after receiving education about the evidence based guidelines and their compliance was improved at the post-test I and II. Recommendation: continuous education and training sessions for all nurses working at different intensive care units about pressure ulcer preventive guidelines to improve their knowledge and compliance.