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[Prevalence of pressure sores in a university hospital in 2003]
G Daideri1, F Berthier, P Brocker
1Département d'Information et d'Informatique Médicale, CHU de Nice, Hôpital de Cimiez, 4, avenue Reine-Victoria, BP 1179, 06003 Nice Cedex 1.
Insights
Pressure sores remain a significant hospital problem. A survey found a 16.6% prevalence, with hospital-acquired pressure sores affecting 7.5% of patients, highlighting the need for better prevention strategies.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Nursing
- Patient Safety
- Hospital Epidemiology
Context:
- Pressure sores (also known as decubitus ulcers) represent a considerable challenge in healthcare settings.
- Assessing their prevalence and risk factors is crucial for effective patient care and resource allocation.
Purpose:
- To determine the prevalence of pressure sores within a university hospital.
- To evaluate the risk factors associated with pressure sore development, utilizing the Braden scale.
Summary:
- A one-day survey of 1,611 hospitalized patients revealed a 16.6% overall prevalence of pressure sores.
- Hospital-acquired pressure sores were identified in 7.5% of patients. Heels and sacrum were the most common sites.
- A Braden scale score ≤15 (indicating high risk) was present in 29.1% of patients. Age and low Braden scores were significant risk factors.
Impact:
- The findings underscore that pressure sores are an important, potentially iatrogenic, issue in hospitals.
- Effective management necessitates a multidisciplinary approach and targeted interventions for high-risk patients.
- This study provides essential data for improving pressure ulcer prevention protocols and patient outcomes.
Background:
To determine the prevalence of pressure sores in a university hospital and to assess the risk of developing a pressure sore.
Methods:
A one-day survey was performed in all hospitalized patients, day hospital excepted. The Garches scale was used to assess the severity of pressure sores and the Braden scale was used to measure the patient's risk for the development of pressure ulcers.
Results:
One thousand six hundred and eleven patients were included, mean age was 62+/-23 years and 53.3% were over 65 years old. In hospitalized patients, 64% were in acute care, 29% in intermediate medicine and long-term care and 7% in intensive care units. We have found 675 pressure sores in 268 patients, mean age of 76 years; 263 decubitus ulcers were acquired during hospitalization. The most frequent sites were heels (46%) and sacrum (26%). Stage 1 pressure ulcers showed 33% of the total. The total prevalence was 16.6%, 95% CI (14.9-18.6), the hospital acquired pressure sores prevalence was 7.5%, all stages included. A Braden score less than or equal to 15 was found in 29.1% of hospitalized patients. Standard mattresses were used in 37% of patients with pressure sores. Multivariate analysis showed that age and a Braden score less than or equal to 15 were significantly associated with pressure sores.
Conclusion:
Pressure sores are still an important problem in hospital; occurrence must be considered as an iatrogenic event and management requires a multidisciplinary approach.
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