Pressure Ulcer Patients’ Psychological Understanding of Nursing Care Received in Intensive Care Unit

INTRODUCTION: Awareness of the perceptions of patients regarding the nursing services provided during hospitalization can enhance the quality and safety of nursing care. The objective of this study was to elucidate the psychological perceptions of patients with bedsores regarding the nursing care they received in the intensive care unit. METHOD: This descriptive qualitative study was conducted in 2021. The study population comprised patients admitted to the cardiac intensive care units of Chamran Hospital in Isfahan, Iran. The sample included 10 patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. These patients were selected using a purposive sampling technique. Semi-structured interviews were employed for data collection. Sampling continued until data saturation was reached. Data were analyzed using conventional qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: In this study, the codes obtained were classified into 10 subcategories, which were subsequently merged into three main categories. The main categories included “neglected wound care”, “empathetic care”, and “patient hope and trust”. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study revealed that the psychological understanding of patients with bedsores was associated with numerous components and challenges that necessitate the attention and consideration of nurses during the provision of care to these patients.