PERCEPTION OF NURSES TOWARDS THE BARRIERS OF PRESSURE ULCER PREVENTION IN HERA GENERAL HOSPITAL, SAUDI ARABIA

Abstract

Background:
Pressure ulcers, also known as bedsores or pressure injuries, are localized damages to the skin and underlying tissue caused by prolonged pressure and shear forces. These injuries are a significant public health issue, particularly in immobile patients, and are increasingly s2ween as indicators of the quality of care in healthcare settings. Understanding the barriers to effective pressure ulcer prevention is essential for improving patient outcomes and nursing practices.
Purpose:
This study aimed to identify staff nurses’ perceptions of the barriers to pressure injury prevention at Hera General Hospital in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, focusing on factors such as management, motivation, knowledge, staffing, and collaboration.
Methods:
A quantitative descriptive cross-sectional correlational design was used to explore the perceptions of 104 nurses working in inpatient and intensive care units at Hera General Hospital. Data were collected using the Pressure Injury Prevention Barriers Questionnaire (PIPB) developed by Lopez-Franco et al. (2020). The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, t-tests, and ANOVA with IBM SPSS software.
Results:
The findings revealed that management and organizational support are perceived as crucial for pressure injury prevention, strongly correlating with motivation and staff collaboration. The most significant barriers identified were high nursing staff turnover (28.3%) and the persistence of non-evidence-based care practices (26%). The study also highlighted the lack of preventive devices and multidisciplinary teams as critical barriers.
Conclusion:
The study concludes that effective management and organizational support are essential for successful pressure ulcer prevention. Addressing staffing instability, providing adequate resources, and promoting interdisciplinary collaboration are necessary to enhance the effectiveness of prevention strategies. These findings have important implications for nursing practices and policies, suggesting the need for targeted interventions to improve patient care.