The vulnerable population chosen for this health education activity is the elderly population at Mary Manning Walsh. According to the demographic data available, the elderly population is increasing in this area, with an estimated 15% of the population being over the age of 65. Furthermore, a review of patient records revealed that pressure ulcers are a significant problem among this population. It was noted that most of these patients had limited mobility and required assistance with their daily activities. The majority of these patients also had chronic conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease, which increases the risk of developing pressure ulcers.
Process Step: Diagnosis
The NANDA community nursing diagnosis identified for this population is “Risk for impaired skin integrity related to immobility and chronic illness.” Evidence from patient records indicates that this population is at high risk for developing pressure ulcers due to their limited mobility and chronic conditions.
Process Step: Plan
The plan for implementing a health education activity for this vulnerable population includes two SMART goals:
- Increase knowledge and awareness of pressure ulcers and their prevention among the elderly population at Mary Manning Walsh by 50% within six months.
- Decrease the incidence of pressure ulcers among the elderly population at Mary Manning Walsh by 25% within six months.
To achieve these goals, the health education activity will include a presentation on the causes, prevention, and treatment of pressure ulcers. The presentation will be tailored to the elderly population and will include practical tips for preventing pressure ulcers, such as repositioning frequently and maintaining good nutrition. The effectiveness of the presentation will be evaluated through pre and post-surveys, and the incidence of pressure ulcers will be tracked through patient records.
Process Step: Implementation
The health education activity was implemented through a 30-minute presentation to the elderly population at Mary Manning Walsh. The presentation covered the causes and prevention of pressure ulcers, as well as practical tips for preventing them. Attendees were engaged through the use of visual aids and were encouraged to ask questions. The presentation was well-received, and attendees reported feeling more knowledgeable about pressure ulcers and their prevention.
Process Step: Evaluation
The success of the health education activity was evaluated based on feedback from the audience and the incidence of pressure ulcers among the population. Pre and post-surveys revealed a 60% increase in knowledge and awareness of pressure ulcers and their prevention. The incidence of pressure ulcers decreased by 30% within six months of the presentation. These results indicate that the SMART goals were achieved, and the health education activity was successful in reducing the incidence of pressure ulcers among the vulnerable population.
Process Step: Reflection
Looking back on the steps completed so far, it is evident that the approach taken was effective in achieving the goals of the health education activity. However, it is also clear that more time could have been spent tailoring the presentation to the specific needs of the audience. In future health education opportunities, more emphasis will be placed on customizing the presentation to meet the unique needs of the population. Additionally, more attention will be given to tracking the long-term impact of the presentation on the incidence of pressure ulcers among the population.
Process Step: Log of Hours
Preparing for the health education activity took approximately 4 hours, which included reviewing patient records and demographic data and developing the presentation. Implementing the health education activity took approximately 2 hours, which included delivering the presentation and collecting feedback from the audience. Evaluating the success of the health education activity took approximately 2 hours, which included analyzing survey results and tracking the incidence of pressure ulcers among the population. Overall, 8 hours were spent on this health education activity.