Within the complex world of healthcare, where efficiency often remains elusive, low-value care surfaces as a significant challenge. Pressure injuries, representing a critical nursing-sensitive quality indicator, necessitate a range of interventions, many of which may not yield optimal outcomes. While numerous studies recognize the prevalence of inefficient practices, a cohesive identification of what precisely constitutes low-value approaches within pressure injury management has been absent. This scoping review endeavors to bridge that gap by delving into existing evidence, thereby driving future research directions and offering pathways for clinical improvement.
Diverse Targets of Low-Value Practices
The meticulous review process, executed through an exhaustive search of multiple databases, narrowed down 25 relevant studies from an initial 1884 publications. These studies can be categorized based on their focus areas—prevention of pressure injuries (13 studies), treatment (10 studies), and a combination of both (2 studies). The scope of low-value care practices identified is notably wide-ranging. Unrestricted or non-specific practices led the chart, followed by the overutilization of dressings and topical agents. Repositioning practices and the use of supportive surfaces also emerged as areas with inefficiencies.
Need for Comprehensive Research
The review also highlighted the necessity for nutritional interventions, risk assessment, and several unconventional approaches like phototherapy and electromagnetic therapy as possible low-value practices. These findings underscore the imperative to concentrate future investigations on these facets to optimize care quality.
– The multiplicity of low-value practices in pressure injuries reflects inefficiencies across various care processes.
– There’s a pressing need for more thorough exploration into the rationales behind current practices.
– Interventions that invariably classify as low-value need re-evaluation through rigorous evidence examination.
– Patient preferences and outcomes should fundamentally guide the reshaping of pressure injury management strategies.
To address these remaining gaps, future research should emphasize the generation of robust evidence that intricately weaves in patient preferences to eliminate inefficiencies. Such initiatives could lead to a decluttering of current practices, ultimately cultivating an ecosystem of care that is both resource-efficient and patient-centered. Stakeholders in healthcare, from policymakers to practitioners, would benefit from integrating these insights into their operational frameworks. An optimal alignment of quality care with resource allocation can be achieved by continuously refining the procedures in pressure injury management, ensuring each intervention is genuinely worth its value in patient care.
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