Research problem

Background Information and significance of the problem

Good nutrition status is a component of the wound healing. Most health care professionals especially in the nursing homes ignore the nutritional status of the patient hence compromising the wound healing process by prolonging the stages of wound healing. The body requires an adequate amount of glucose for provision of energy necessary for wound healing. Nutrition is an important aspect of wound healing and every health care professional should put into consideration the nutritional requirements of the patient as part of the healing process (Kemp, 2001). People with protein deficiency have indicated the lowest healing rates because of the reduction in collagen formation. It further indicates the need for holistic nutrition assessment and early malnutrition detection in order to promote timely and effective wound healing. The wound care providers should have the knowledge to recognize whether or not the nutritional status of the patient has a profound effect on the wound healing in order top generate a nutritional plan to meet the nutritional needs of the patient (Schultz, 1993).

The diagnosis, monitoring, evaluation, intervention and nutritional assessment are common practices in long-term nutritional facilities. However, there are very few nursing homes and  outpatient wound clinics that apply the protocols of evaluating nutritional status of the patient or implementing nutritional interventions to promote the wound healing process. Lack of nutritional assessment occurs at the instances where the health care professionals or the wound clinicians are unsure of the nutritional interventions of the patient or are unfamiliar of the criteria for determining nutritional compromise in wounded patients (Schultz, 1993). Identification of the underlying problems is the first step towards the initiation of the nutritional status in the patient. Meal intake and the weight history of a patient help in identification of a compromised nutrition status that delays the wound healing process.

The wound healing process requires high energy requirements as there is a hypermetabolic state of the body. However, the caloric requirements of the patient depend on the individual’s age, medical condition and the ability of the patient to ambulate (Stechmiller, 2010). Maintenance of a positive nitrogen balance is critical in patients with ulcers or wounds through consumption of adequate proteins. Inadequate intake of proteins makes the body turn to the breakdown of lean body mass to meet the caloric requirements. On the other hand, fluid assessment is crucial aspects of wound care as it enables the wound clinicians determine the fluid requirements of the patient. Some of the wounds cause significant drainage to the patient, and the healing process can be enhanced through adequate intake of fluids.

Significance of the Research

The study is significant in identifying the roles that nutrition and nutrition assessment play in wound healing. The concept of nutrition has been overlooked for many years as one of the patient therapies in the treatment of diseases and injuries. Nutrition in the wound healing starts with the assessment of the patient’s nutritional status in order to determine the ability of the patient to healing in a timely manner. It has not been the case in most of the clinics in South Florida as the clinicians in the wound clinics are not concerned with the assessment of the nutritional status of the patient.

Problem statement

The research aims at identifying the gap in most of the clinics in the South of Florida in order for the clinicians to  incorporate nutrition especially an adequate protein intake in  the wound patients as an effective intervention in the wound healing population ('Nursing journals: Nursing outlook', 2004).

Nutrition is a critical factor in the wound healing process as adequate intake of protein promotes the wound healing. For complete and timely healing of the wound, it is essential that the patient takes an adequate amount of proteins, vitamins, and minerals. The proliferative phase of the wound repair, deposition of collagen is vital in increasing the wound’s tensile strength. Wound clinicians fail to emphasize the role that nutrition plays in wound healing through patient nutritional assessment. It is an evident problem especially in the nursing homes that focus on medical therapies in the treatment of patients with different types of wounds and ulcers (Stechmiller, 2010). The integration of medical therapies with nutrition assessment can be vital in helping the patients in the recovery process. The nutritional status of the patient influences the wound healing process as the patient with poor nutritional status compromises the ability of the wound to heal in a timely manner (Kemp, 2001). Of great significance there are the proteins that play a vital role in the formation of sterile fibers. Various studies conducted in wound clinics and hospitals have shown that the clinicians do not assess the nutritional status of the patients. Assessment of the protein needs in wounds patients plays a significant role in the healing process as it helps in identification of the specific protein needs of the wounded patient.

Wound clinicians and other health care professionals can help the wound patients in the healing process through integration of nutrition programs for the patient. It can be done by first assessing the nutrition status of the patients in order to determine the specific nutritional needs. The doctors can help the wounded patients meet their nutritional needs by helping them design a meal plan to eat a balanced diet. Besides, the clinicians can promote adequate protein intake in wound patients through giving them flexibility in their foods and promoting economically feasible foods. In addition, there is need for the wound clinicians to emphasize on nutritional intervention rather than the medical therapies as it promotes the body’s immunity. Food reach in amino acids of arginine and glutamine are essential in tissue building and maintaining a muscle mass in the wound healing. The research was conducted in three nursing homes in south Florida as a representative sample of all clinics because of the identified gaps in the clinicians’ failure to recognize the role of nutrition in wound healing.

Research questions

The qualitative research will be guided by the below research questions:

• What are the probable outcomes of integration of nutrition therapy in wound healing?
• How can the nurses help the wound patients in meeting the protein needs?
• Why do the nurses and other wound clinicians prefer other therapies rather than emphasizing the role of nutrition in wound healing?
• Why do the clinics in Florida lack nutritional programs for the wound patients?
• Why is it necessary to evaluate the role of nutrition in the wound healing?

Research purpose

           The aim of the study is to provide an intervention to the wound patients in south Florida through recognition of the role of nutrition in the healing of the wounds. There has been a gap in the wound clinics where the clinicians fail to recognize the role that nutrition plays in the healing process. The study aims to close the gap and emphasize on adequate protein, calories and fluid intake to promote the wound healing process.

Research hypothesis

Nutrition plays a significant role in the wound healing process.

Null hypothesis

There is no association between nutrition and wound healing.

References

Kemp, S. (2001). The vital role of nutrition in wound healing. Primary Health Care, 11(1), 43-49. doi:10.7748/phc2001.02.11.1.43.c287

Nursing journals: Nursing outlook. (2004). Applied Nursing Research, 17(4), C4. doi:10.1016/s0897-1897(04)00117-x

Schultz, T. (1993). Nutrition: Its role in wound healing. Home Health Care Management & Practice, 5(3), 56-63. doi:10.1177/108482239300500310

Stechmiller, J. (2010). Understanding the Role of Nutrition and Wound Healing. Nutrition In Clinical Practice, 25(1), 61-68. doi:10.1177/0884533609358997