The purpose of the study was to find out how practical and registered nurses recognized patients who were at the risk of having pressure ulcer and what methods they had for prevention of pressure ulcer. The aim of this thesis was to produce information about prevention of pressure ulcers. The aim was also to study what devices nurses had and how they used them in pressure ulcer prevention. A further objective was to produce information for developing nursing procedures and to pay attention to nurses´ own methods in pressure ulcer prevention.

The research was carried out as a quantitative questionnaire survey. The material was collected in January 2010 by a questionnaire, which included structured statements and two open ended questions. Questions consisted of six subjects: identification of pressure ulcer risk and predisposing factors, methods of pressure ulcer prevention, patient’s position and instruments used, patients’ and their relatives’ guidance and nurses’ training. A total of 88 nurses, who worked in the province of southern Finland, responded. The data was processed with the SPSS for windows -program. The results are presented in figures and percentages.

The results of the study showed that practical and registered nurses recognized well patients who were predisposed to pressure ulcer, but not all nurses did register the common risk factors of pressure ulcer. The pressure ulcer risk scale is not use as an instrument of nursing. The ulcer risk of a patient and the methods of prevention are not always recorded in the care plan. Position and instruments are used as prevention measures in pressure ulcer. The guidance given to patients and relatives is inadequate. Nurses are interested in developing their own knowledge and professional skills.