Medical device-related pressure injuries: Knowledge levels of nurses and factors affecting these

The knowledge level of nurses plays a key role in preventing medical device-related pressure injuries. This research aimed to investigate the knowledge levels of nurses with regard to medical device-related pressure injuries and the factors affecting these.

This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with 355 nurses between December 15, 2020 and March 31, 2021. Data were collected using the Nurse Information Form and the Medical Device-Related Pressure Injuries Knowledge Questionnaire.

The mean score of the nurses for the Medical Device-Related Pressure Injuries Knowledge Questionnaire was 22.11 ± 5.79. The nurses obtained the highest score from the "Description" sub-dimension of the test, whereas the lowest scores pertained to the "Staging" sub-dimension. Only 23.1% of the nurses stated that they had general knowledge about medical device-related pressure injuries. A significant difference was determined between the mean scores that the nurses got from the Medical Device-Related Pressure Injuries Knowledge Questionnaire and their gender, work experience in the intensive care unit, frequency of encountering a medical device-related pressure injuries and their previous training on such injuries. In addition, a positive relationship was determined between the level of knowledge about medical device-related pressure injuries and age and seniority.

It was concluded that the level of knowledge of nurses about medical device-related pressure injuries was insufficient. We therefore recommend that a regular training program be provided to nurses on medical device-related pressure injuries in order to reduce the incidence of these injuries and to provide a quality and safe care service to patients.