PRESSURE ULCERS PREVENTION | Difference between Braden Scale and Norton Scale in the Development of new ulcers in African Americans 2023

PRESSURE ULCERS PREVENTION | Difference between Braden Scale and Norton Scale in the Development of new ulcers in African Americans 2023. Evidence-based on practice demonstrates that pressure ulcers affect the quality of life, morbidity, and mortality of the population. According to Boyko et al., (2018) once pressure ulcers are installed, potential complications can develop, and this is the case of infections. For all the above, it is crucial for all healthcare providers, including Family Nurse Practitioners, to acquire substantial knowledge about the risk factors involved in the development of ulcers, in order to provide better education to patients and their families. The FNP works through an interdisciplinary team with the other members of the health team to provide better care, better patient safety, and obtain a better health result in the population. The prevention of ulcers by pressure influences the reduction of their appearance. It also improves the quality and life expectancy of patients who undergo long periods of hospitalization and the elderly population as well as it reduces the US Health cost. (Boyko et al 2018) Background and Significance of the Problem Pressure ulcers constitute a serious health problem for older persons, currently there are close to one million adults within the United States. As the population ages, pressure ulcers can continue as a significant health care problem. (Boyko et al., 2018).The incidence of pressure ulcers is increasing as a result of the aging population and the increment within the senior living with impairment. Learning how to manage pressure ulcers is of great importance to healthcare 3 PRESSURE ULCERS PREVENTION 3 providers in general. The use of risk assessment tools is a component of the assessment process used to identify individuals at risk of developing a pressure ulcer. Many international pressure ulcer prevention guidelines recommend the use of a risk assessment tool; however, it is not known whether using a risk assessment tool makes a difference to patient outcomes. (Boyko et al., 2018).The evidence demonstrates the need to investigate the development of new risk assessments tool to evaluate its effectiveness in the incidence and outcome of pressure ulcers in patients requiring extended periods of hospitalization, as well as in the elderly population (Boyko et al., 2018) Pressure ulcers occur in up to 23% of patients in long-term and rehabilitation facilities and at an incidence of 10% to 41% in ICU patients.( Bauer et al., 2016)According to Bauer et al., (2016) the AHRQ2 reported nearly 2.5 million individuals are affected by pressure ulcers, and more than 60 000 patients in the US die each year as a direct result of pressure ulcers. The costs associated with pressure ulcers are considerable. Medicaid estimated each pressure ulcer adds $43 180 in costs to an individual’s hospital stay. (Bauer et al., 2016. According to The Joint Commission, (2016). The pressure ulcers constitute a health problem and one of the biggest challenges that organizations face every day. Despite the high costs of treatment, pressure ulcers have a significant impact on the lives of patients and also on the ability of Health Care Providers to provide adequate care to patients. In 2008, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced it will not pay for additional costs incurred for hospital-acquired pressure ulcers Pressure ulcer treatment is costly, but the development of pressure ulcers can be prevented by the use of evidence-based nursing practice. Risk Assessment should be considered the starting point in prevention, the faster the risk is identified, the faster it can be treated. (The Joint Commission, 2016)