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Incidence and prediction of pressure ulcers in five patient care settings
Insights
Pressure ulcers (PU) are a significant healthcare issue. This study found PU incidence was 15% in acute care and 28% in skilled care, with no cases in rehabilitation, home, or hospice settings.
Area of Science:
- Nursing
- Dermatology
- Healthcare Management
Background:
- Pressure ulcers (PU) represent a significant challenge in patient care across various settings.
- Understanding the incidence of PU is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of pressure ulcer development in adult patients across five different healthcare settings.
- To compare PU incidence rates between acute care, skilled care, rehabilitation, home care, and hospice environments.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 190 adult patients, free of PU on admission, was followed across five care settings.
- Skin and Braden Scale risk assessments were conducted, along with demographic data collection.
- The incidence of new PU development post-admission was recorded for each setting.
Main Results:
- Overall, 18 (9%) patients developed PU post-admission.
- PU incidence was 15% in acute care and 28% in skilled care.
- No PU developed in rehabilitation, home care, or hospice settings.
Conclusions:
- Healthcare setting significantly impacts pressure ulcer incidence.
- Skilled care and acute care settings exhibit higher rates of PU development compared to rehabilitation, home, and hospice.
- The Braden Scale is recommended for risk assessment in different patient care settings.
Abstract:
Pressure ulcers (PU), one example of an alteration in skin integrity, remain a prominent healthcare concern in all patient care settings. Incidence refers to the number of "new cases occurring over a given time period" (NPUAP, 1989, p. 26). Adult patients (n = 190) in five patient care settings who were assessed to be free of PUs on admission were followed over a specified period of time to assess the incidence of pressure ulcer development for each setting. Subjects each had a skin assessment, along with a risk assessment utilizing the Braden Scale. A demographic data form was also completed on each subject. Pressure ulcers developed post-admission in 18 (9%) patients, 11 of whom were acute care patients and eight of whom were patients in skilled care. No patients developed pressure ulcers in the rehabilitation, home care, or hospice settings. Incidence for acute care was 15% and 28% in skilled care. Braden predictor scores were also recommended for each setting and factors associated with pressure ulcer development were discussed.