Knowledge and attitudes of intensive care unit nurses toward pressure ulcer prevention: A mixed-method study

The knowledge and attitudes are crucial for preventing pressure ulcers and ensuring patient safety.

To assess the knowledge and attitudes of intensive care unit (ICU) nurses about pressure ulcer prevention and examine influencing factors using a mixed-methods approach.

A convergent mixed-methods design was used. The quantitative phase was descriptive and cross-sectional, involving 120 nurses. The qualitative phase followed a phenomenological approach with 10 nurses. Data were collected using the Nurse Information Form, Modified Pieper Pressure Ulcer Knowledge Test, Attitude Scale, and semistructured interviews. Quantitative and qualitative data were descriptively and thematically analyzed, respectively.

The mean knowledge and attitude scores were 25.79 ± 7.04 and 40.21 ± 5.40, respectively. The nurses' knowledge was insufficient, whereas their attitudes were positive. Three themes emerged: management barriers, attitudes, and expectations.

Although ICU nurses demonstrated positive attitudes, their knowledge of pressure ulcer prevention was inadequate. Improving education and training is essential for enhancing early detection and reducing complications in ICU settings.