Abstract

PURPOSE
To examine pressure ulcer care from the standpoints of perceived importance, educational needs, knowledge and performance among clinical nurses.
METHODS
This descriptive study was conducted with a convenient sample of 289 nurses from four hospitals. Questionnaire data collected from June to August 2008 was analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson's correlation coefficients.
RESULTS
The mean scores of importance and educational needs concerning pressure ulcer care were high, performance was moderate, and knowledge was low. Knowledge level differed significantly according to career, performance differed significantly according to pressure ulcer care education and the main healer(the person primarily responsible for treatment). Perceived importance differed significantly according to the main healer, and educational needs differed significantly according to working area and the main healer. Significant correlations were evident between performance and importance, performance and educational needs, importance and knowledge, and importance and educational needs.
CONCLUSION
Focus on perceived importance and educational needs to clinical nurses about pressure ulcer care may be beneficial to improve knowledge and practice of pressure ulcer care, and should be reflected in the development of effective programs to enhance relevant nursing skills.

• Keywords: Pressure ulcer; Needs; Knowledge; Performance