(CR-018) Nurses' Perception of Pain and Skin tearing during Dressing Change
YUN JIN lEE, wound care nurse
Introduction: Wounds inevitably causes patients to experience discomfort, distress, and consequentially reduced quality of life due to entailed pain, maceration, foul odor. Dressing has been a universal wound care method in which wounds are covered and protected and an optimum environment for healing is provided. This study aimed to investigate Korean nurses’ level of awareness of pain and skin tearing in wound bed and/or peri-wound skin at dressing change.
Methods: A descriptive study was performed. Convenience sampling was employed and registered nurses were recruited from attendees of continuing education program. A total of 399 participants (RN) completed questionnaire. Data was collected from September to November, 2022.
Results: Many of them perceived skin tearing and wound related pain associated with dressing changing, but most of them did not assess and record pain and skin tearing at dressing change. More than half of respondents reported that they did not provide nursing intervention to prevent pain and skin tearing. Many of them reported that a systematic educational program for preventing pain and skin tearing at dressing change was needed.
Discussion: Many of respondents were aware of pain and skin tearing at dressing change, but did not take any further necessary measures, including nursing intervention, for the most appropriate, systematic pain and skin tearing management. Therefore, this study suggested that a systematic and comprehensive educational program for Korean healthcare professions needs to be developed and implemented in Korea’s hospital settings.
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