• Wen-Ling Lin, Chien-Hua Tseng, Yi-Jen Chung, Hsin-Chu Chuang, Yun-Lan Lin, and Pi-Hua Chang.
• Department of Nursing, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan, ROC.
• Hu Li Za Zhi. 2014 Apr 1; 61 (2 Suppl): S85-94.

Background & ProblemsPressure ulcers are tissue defects that form on the skin as a result of progressive skin damage. Pressure ulcers are a skin-integrity-related care issue and an important clinical indicator of care quality, especially for lung cancer inpatients who face rapidly deteriorating health conditions due to multiple symptoms and the side effects of treatment. Treating severe pressure ulcers may consume considerable manpower, time, and medical resources. Pressure ulcers may be avoided or effectively treated when nurses conduct proper skin assessments and care for wounds properly.PurposeThis project evaluates the efficacy of skin care bundles in terms of reducing the incidence density of pressure ulcers in lung cancer inpatients.ResolutionData gathered between January 2010 and March 2011 showed unstable incidence density for pressure ulcers. The average pressure-ulcer incidence density in lung cancer inpatients was 2.09%, which was 8-times higher than the average for all patients. Using evidence-based care bundles for pressure ulcer prevention, we trained nurse staffs to incorporate these bundles into their clinical daily care of lung cancer patients in our hospital.ResultsDuring the study period between November 2011 and January 2012, the pressure-ulcer incidence density gradually fell to 0.55%. The incidence density continued to fall to 0.33% over the subsequent 8 months.ConclusionsWe used the concept of "care bundles" to establish a standard skin-care protocol for advanced lung cancer inpatients. This protocol improved the clinical ability of nursing staffs and effectively maintained skin care quality in lung cancer patients.

17 keywords...

hide…