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Pressure ulcer prevalence and incidence in acute care

Mary Lou Jenkins1, Ericka O'Neal

  • 1Lodi Memorial Hospital, Lodi, California, USA.

Advances in Skin & Wound Care
|November 19, 2010
PubMed

Insights

This study identified high pressure ulcer (PrU) prevalence (12-19.7%) and incidence (0-5.4%) in acute-care patients. Key factors included low Braden scores and incontinence, highlighting the need for improved prevention strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Nursing
  • Patient Safety
  • Healthcare Quality Improvement

Background:

  • Pressure ulcers (PrUs) are a significant concern in acute-care settings, impacting patient outcomes and healthcare costs.
  • Existing policies may not adequately address PrU prevention, necessitating evidence-based practice modifications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the incidence and prevalence of PrUs in acute-care patients.
  • To identify major contributing factors to PrU development.
  • To align hospital policies with Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) PrU prevention recommendations.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional, descriptive study design was employed.
  • PrU prevalence was measured quarterly in 2009 using a standardized data collection form.
  • Incidence was assessed based on the facility's average length of stay.

Main Results:

  • PrU prevalence ranged from 12% to 19.7%, with incidence rates between 0% and 5.4%.
  • Commonly affected sites included the heel (26%), coccyx (20%), and ear (19%).
  • Major contributing factors identified were: Braden score < 18 (84%), serum albumin < 3 (74%), incontinence (73%), fragile skin (67%), and being bed-bound (63%).

Conclusions:

  • Collecting PrU prevalence and incidence data is crucial for evaluating nursing care quality.
  • This data serves as an effective measure of patient outcomes and helps identify facility-specific trends.
  • Findings support the need for updated policies and practices to enhance PrU prevention efforts.
Abstract

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