Date Approved

4-7-2000

Graduate Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Nursing (M.S.N.)

Degree Program

College of Nursing

Abstract

The purposes of this study were to identify the wound care technique practiced by acute care nurses and the deviations made from sterile technique when dressing a pressure ulcer. A descriptive design using a survey methodology was employed. A questionnaire, the Faller Wound Care Technique Survey, was distributed to a convenience sample of 131 acute care nurses. Forty nurses (30%) responded.

The study findings indicate that the typical wound care technique of dressing a pressure ulcer is a combination of sterile and clean procedures and is not consistent with the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research Guideline recommendations to use clean wound dressings and one pair of clean gloves per patient. The number of deviations from sterile technique ranged from two to eleven. Analysis of deviations demonstrated that type of deviation was of greater concern than number. The findings indicate a continuing need to influence wound care practices.

Comments

Questions or concerns regarding the copyright status of this item may be directed to scholarworks@gvsu.edu.

Included in

Nursing Commons

Share

COinS