Clinical variance in assessing risk of pressure ulcer development

Nurses working in one area health service (AHS) in Sydney, Australia, expressed concern about the development of pressure ulcers in hospitalized patients. Anecdotal evidence suggested that a variety of approaches were being used to assess patients to identify those at risk of pressure ulcer development. A questionnaire was distributed to all registered nurses (n=2113) in clinical settings within the AHS. Data were analysed using frequency distribution. The response rate was 40% (n=850), of which 444 were useable. Nurses generally do not use a tool to assess pressure ulcer risk potential, but rely on a range of practice procedures and risk indicators. It is recommended that a pressure ulcer project group be established to evaluate existing tools or, if necessary, develop a tool for the assessment of patients to identify those at risk of developing pressure ulcers.