This study was done to compare clinical nurses’ knowledge and visual differentiation diagnostic ability for the pressure ulcer classification system (PUCS) and incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD).

A convenience sample of 602 nurses took the pressure ulcer classification system and incontinence-associated dermatitis knowledge test (PUCS & IAD KT) and completed the visual differentiation tool (VDT), consisting of 21 photographs with clinical information.

The overall mean score for correct answers was 14.5 (± 3.2) in PUCS & IAD KT and 11.15 (± 4.9) in PUCS & IAD VDT. Incorrect responses were most common for statements related to stage III, IAD for PUCS & IAD KT, and suspected deep tissue injury (SDTI), un-stageable, and stage III for PUCS & IAD VDT. Significant correlations were found between PUCS & IAD KT and VDT (r= .48, p< .001). Factors affecting scores for PUCS & IAD VDT were PUCS & IAD KT, frequency of pressure ulcer, IAD management and participation in wound care education programs.

Results indicate that nurses have an overall understanding of PUCS & IAD, but low visual differentiation ability regarding stage III, SDTI, and unstageable ulcers. Continuing education is needed to further improve knowledge and visual differentiation ability for PUCS & IAD.

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine the relationship between characteristics of severe ALS patient-caregiver couples and health related quality of life (HRQoL) in family caregivers.

The participants in this study were 89 pairs of ALS patients using ventilators and a family caregiver. The characteristics of the ALS patients and caregivers, Korean-Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale-Revised, Zarit Burden Interview and SF-36 were measured in this study. The data were collected from August 2008 to April 2009. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficients, and canonical correlation were used for data analysis.

The physical component summary and mental component summary of the HRQoL score for family caregivers were 147.49±31.63 and 129.09±35.83, respectively. HRQoL for caregivers was related to characteristics of the ALS patient-caregiver couples, such as patient's gender, caregiver's age, gender, marital status, daily time spent in caregiving and burden with one significant canonical variable. The significant variate showed that the lower the age, the time spent in caregiving and the burden of caregivers, the higher the HRQoL of caregivers.

The support systems for caregivers considering caregiver characteristics such as demographics and burden should be implemented to improve the HRQoL of caregivers.