Patientens upplevelse av att leva med trycksår : En litteraturstudie

Sammanfattning: Background: Pressure ulcer are one of the most common healthcare injuries and is a challenge for healthcare professionals. A pressure ulcer occurs from pressure or shear or a combination of both and it is mainly the elderly who are at risk. Pressure-relieving aids are used to prevent the pressure ulcer. The patient's experience is important in the care in order to prevent the pressure ulcer. Not understanding the patient's experience can lead to missed care and actions which in turn can lead to serious consequences. Aim: To describe patient's experiences of living with pressure ulcers. Method: A literature study was performed. An analysis of eleven qualitative articles that focused on the patient's experiences of pressure ulcers were conducted. Results: Two main themes and six subthemes emerged. The result presents the two main theme: Physical impact and Mental impact. Physical impact describes that pressure ulcers are painful and limit patient's mobility, which leads to becoming dependent on nursing care. Mental impact describes that the pressure ulcer causes the patients to isolate themselves, become dependent of others and lead to feelings of hopelessness. Conclusion: Patients experienced that being dependent on others are difficult and they experienced feelings of worthless and incapable. The smell and pain of the pressure ulcer and its wound fluids impairs patient's self-esteem and wellbeing, resulting in social isolation and hopelessness.