Pressure sore survey Part 2: nurses' knowledge

This is the second of a three-part article which investigates the prevalence of pressure sores and nurses' knowledge and attitudes in one NHS trust. This study was designed to explore the assumption that lack of knowledge might be a contributory factor to pressure sore formation. A cross-section of trained and untrained staff over several areas of work in the acute and community settings were represented. Overall, the differences in awareness and opinions among staff were not indicative of major deficits in knowledge that could account for failure to prevent pressure sores. It is suggested that the problem may well be one of individual or organisational motivation.