Clinical Trial: Pressure Ulcer Prevention: Turning for Ulcer Reduction

Study Status: Completed
Recruit Status: Completed
Study Type: Interventional

Official Title: Preventing Pressure Ulcers: A Multi-site RCT in Nursing Facilities

Brief Summary: The purpose of the study is to determine the optimal frequency of repositioning nursing facility residents with limited mobility who are cared for on a high density foam mattress in order to prevent bed sores. It is hypothesized that participants at moderate risk (Braden Scale Scores 13-14) who are turned every 3 or 4 hours and participants at high risk (Braden Scores 10-12) turned every 3 or 4 hours will not have a higher incidence of ulcers than those residents turned every 2 hours.

Detailed Summary: The purpose of this multi-site, randomized, controlled trial is to determine the optimal frequency of repositioning nursing facility residents with mobility limitations who are at moderate and high risk for pressure ulcer development who are cared for on high density foam mattresses for the purpose of preventing pressure ulcers. Pressure ulcers result primarily from pressure over a bony prominence that occludes blood flow to tissues. Traditionally, soft surfaces over mattress and repositioning individuals every 2 hours to relieve pressure have been the gold standard of care to prevent ulcers. Recent improvements in support surfaces may reduce the need for 2-hour repositioning. The specific aims of this study are to determine if: 1) there is a significant difference in the incidence of pressure ulcers among: a) moderate risk (Braden Scale Score, 13-14) residents randomly assigned to be repositioned every 2-, compared with every 3- or 4- hours; or b) high risk (Braden Scale Score, 10-12) residents who are turned every 2- compared with every 3- or 4-hours; 2) mobility (spontaneous or assisted) measured by actigraphy is a significant covariate with repositioning frequency in the incidence of pressure ulcers and 3) resident characteristics and resident influencing factors are significant covariates of repositioning schedules on pressure ulcer incidence. A 2 X 2/2 X 3 experimental design is used in which participants at two levels of risk (moderate or high) for pressure ulcer development are randomly assigned to one of 3 repositioning schedules every 2-hours (the current standard of care), contrasted with 3- or 4- hours carried out for 3 weeks. Actigraphs worn for 7 days (Tuesday to Tuesday) will determine if mobility is a significant covariate. Residents (1080) who are over 65 years, able to give consent or have a surrogate who can give consent and are at moderate or high risk for pressure ulcers will be invited to participate. Nursing facilities are selected because of
Sponsor: The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

Current Primary Outcome: Pressure ulcers, present (stage)or absent [ Time Frame: End of 3rd week or conclusion of participation ]

Original Primary Outcome: Same as current

Current Secondary Outcome:

Original Secondary Outcome:

Information By: The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

Dates:
Date Received: April 22, 2008
Date Started: March 2008
Date Completion:
Last Updated: March 20, 2012
Last Verified: March 2012