Year: 2003
Type: article
Abstract: To the Editor: We appreciate the passion with which Dr. Finucane has addressed the need for better understanding of pressure ulcer practice in nursing homes and are glad that our study has raised this discussion. Our study applied Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) standards for pressure ulcer care1,2 to an examination of nursing home practice and found variation. This variation is consistent with that seen in other areas of care3 and points to a need for better understanding of why nursing homes might vary. We did not develop new standards for this study, nor did we attempt to implement a clinical trial of the standards. With regard to the AHRQ recommendation that a plan for nutritional support or supplement should be implemented if a resident is nutritionally compromised, it is important to note that nutritional supplement is only one approach to nutritional support. Indeed, we scored care as compliant with this recommendation if feeding assistance, improving diet choices, eliminating diet restrictions, etc., were planned. In addition, as we stated in the article, for this as with all other measures, we scored a process as “adhered to” if a provider documented any refusal or resident/family preferences that would preclude an intervention. It may be a telling commentary on provider practice that this recommendation for attending to nutritional status was misunderstood by the reader as focusing solely on supplements. We appreciate having an opportunity to clarify this misperception. No author of this paper has a conflict of interest or commercial interest in any product related to pressure ulcer care.
Language: English
Subfield: Occupational Therapy
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4252711278