Effectiveness of Nursing Interventions in Preventing Pressure Ulcers among Immobile Stroke Patients

Individuals with physical disabilities are more likely to develop pressure ulcers due to restricted mobility and diminished sensation. Stroke is the most prevalent medical diagnosis associated with pressure injuries. Pressure ulcer (PU) is a common complication associated with strokes. Timely recognition and implementation of preventive measures are essential in preventing the development of pressure ulcers. This study aimed to explore the effectiveness of nursing interventions in preventing pressure ulcers among immobile stroke patients.

A simple random sampling technique was used to recruit 128 patients; 64 patients were assigned to the control group and 64 to the intervention group. Patients were recruited from the neurological ward at Rizgary Teaching Hospital, Erbil City, Kurdistan region of Iraq, and from the intensive care unit (ICU) at the East Emergency Hospital. Data collection tools included the Braden scale, a risk assessment tool for PUs, and a structured questionnaire. The Chi-square test, logistic regression, and an independent sample t-test were used to analyze the data. The significant level was set as a p < 0.05.

Heart diseases, diabetes mellitus, smoking, advanced age, and friction and shear were the main risk factors for PUs development among immobile stroke patients. The nursing educational interventional program was highly effective in reducing the incidence of PUs among immobile stroke patients (t = 4.130, p < 0.001).

Appropriate nursing interventions and patient education can significantly reduce the incidence of PUs as well as prolong the development of PUs among immobile stroke patients.