Evaluation of evidence-based nursing education of hospital acquired pressure injury prevention in clinical practice: An integrative review

Abstract

Background and objective: There are 2.5 million Americans affected by hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPI) annually. The objective of this study was to review and synthesize the evidence on competency-based education of interventions to prevent HAPIs and to improve the knowledge-base of nursing to guide quality and safety initiatives for patients.

Methods: A total of 30 articles met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. They were reviewed, and the selected articles focused into three main areas: nurse knowledge and education, HAPI prevention improvement, and competency. These articles were examined to comprise a review on the studies that provided the most relevant synchronized data concerning pressure ulcers and competency-based education.

Results: Two themes developed during the literature search and analysis of the selected articles. The first theme focused on nurse education programs for the prevention and identification of HAPI, and the second was the need for nurse knowledge and competency in the prevention of HAPI.

Conclusions: Appraisal of the literature showed that various HAPI education programs have improved nurses’ knowledge and competency, and decreased HAPI occurrences. Future research should focus on identifying and reinforcing standardized professional competency-based education to create a culture of success, and ensure consistently high quality care and safe outcomes for patients.