The Effectiveness of Preventive Nursing Care Based on Braden Scale on the Incidence of Pressure Ulcers in ICU Patients: A Clinical Trial Study

Background: Pressure ulcer is a common problem in ICUs and its prevention is one of nurses’ duties.Aim: The present study was performed with aim to evaluate the effectiveness of preventive nursing care based on Braden’s scale on the incidence of pressure ulcer in ICU patients.Method: This clinical trial study was performed on ۷۲ patients admitted to the ICUs of Golestan and Imam Khomeini hospitals of Ahvaz in ۲۰۲۰. The preventive care based on Braden scale was performed for ۶ days in the intervention group. Routine care was provided for the control group. The rate and duration of pressure sores were measured based on Braden scale at the beginning of the study, every ۴۸ for ۳ times for the intervention group. The data was collected by demographic information questionnaire, Braden scale, and Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing (PUSH).Results: The pressure ulcers occurred less in the intervention group (۲.۸%) than in the control group (۸.۳%), but this difference was significant (p=۰.۶۱۴). There was a significant difference between the two groups in terms of Braden's subscales during the intervention period (first, second and third ۴۸ hours) (p<۰.۰۵). Preventive care increased the length of time required for the occurrence of pressure ulcers in the test group.Implications for Practice: The results showed that the intervention based on the Braden scale reduces pressure ulcers, therefore it is recommended that nurses carry out care interventions based on the Braden scale to improve the quality of care and prevent pressure ulcers among ICU patients.