Pressure ulcer risk assessment-registered nurses experiences of using PURPOSE T: A focus group study

Aim To evaluate the clinical usability of PURPOSE T among registered nurses in Sweden. Background Pressure ulcers are an adverse event and a problem worldwide. Risk assessment is a cornerstone, and a first step in pressure ulcer prevention is to identify possible risk patients and/or pressure ulcers. There are many pressure ulcer risk assessment instruments; however, they are not updated and/or evidence-based. PURPOSE T has been psychometrically evaluated in the UK and in Sweden with good inter-rater and test-retest reliability, and convergent validity was reported as moderate. Design A descriptive study design with a qualitative approach. Methods A total of six focus group interviews with 29 registered nurses were conducted. They were recruited from May 2018 to November 2018 from a university hospital and two nursing homes in Sweden. Data analysis was performed as described by Krueger. The study adheres to the COREQ guidelines. Results Four categories were identified: "An efficient risk assessment instrument performed at the bedside," "Deeper understanding and awareness of risk factors," "Benefits compared to the Modified Norton Scale" and "Necessity of integration of PURPOSE T in the electronic health record and team collaboration." Conclusion The registered nurses acknowledged an overall positive perception of PURPOSE T ' s clinical usability. Future research is needed to evaluate the feasibility of PURPOSE T. Relevance to Clinical Practice PURPOSE T has the potential to replace outdated pressure ulcers risk assessment instruments that are used today.