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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
A 5 page research paper that discusses the incidence of decubitus ulcers (aka pressure ulcers; bed sores) in relation to the nursing shortage, which the writer argues acerbates this problem. Legal implications are discussed. Bibliography lists 5 sources.
Page Count:
5 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_khdus.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
the development of decubitus ulcers (DUs). The mechanics of DU formation, the common areas where they are likely to form and prevention measures are basic knowledge that is covered in
every nursing school curriculum (Larson, 1999). Prevention consists primarily of helping the patient change position every two hours, or more frequently as needed (Larson, 1999). This requires that nurses should
be vigilant in regards to this problem, and also it suggests that there should be a sufficient number of nurses on staff to accomplish this goal. Considering this, it seems
likely that the nursing shortage being experienced by many health care facilities could negatively impact this area of nursing. The incidence at which pressure ulcers occur is dependent on a
number of variables; however, some experts feel that the current nursing shortage, which is predicted to escalate, is quickly becoming a significant factor in the increased incidence of DUs (Gallagher,
2001). Due to "staffing shortages, medical funding cuts and an array of issues," the majority of long-term care facilities are seriously understaffed (Larson, 1999). This results in patients not being
turned, cleaned or even fed as frequently as the ideal standard of nursing would indicate (Larson, 1999). The literature on DUs considers this problem to be almost entirely preventable (Larson,
1999). Elderly patients who are alert, and not declared incompetent, have the right to refuse treatment, which includes turning or consuming proper nutrition. This can lead to an inadequate standard
of care in which DUs result. However, if this occurs, DUs treated in the early stages should heal quickly and this problem is still viewed as a preventable one, and
not one that can be excused. A major government-funded study has shown conclusively that there is a high correlation between low nursing staffing levels and a high rate of
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