[Prevalence of pressure ulcers in the the Balearic Islands]

The absence of reliable information regarding Pressure Ulcers in the Balearic Islands has led to the development of this study. The main objective was to acquire knowledge of the prevalence in hospitals, nursing homes and patients who have received domiciliary care in the public and semi-private services.

It is a descriptive, cross-sectional and observational prevalence study. Data of the whole population (2,454 patients) was collected in hospitals and nursing homes. A stratified systematic randomized sampling was carried out in domiciliary care (342 patients). The information was gathered by specially trained nurses, through direct observation, checking of individual health records and interviews. Data was collected and processed through a computing system with PDA support.

A total of 43.8% of the patients were at risk. The crude prevalence was 12.7% and in patients at risk, 28.3%. The prevalence was higher within the group of people aged more than seventy. Injuries in the sacrum and heels exceeded 60%. Except for medium and long-stay hospitals, more than 70% of the patients with pressure ulcers had developed some ulcer in the centre where they were being cared for.

It can be concluded that in the Balearic Islands, pressure ulcers are a significant health problem. The quality of healthcare can be potentially improved at every care level. The difference in the methodology used in prevalence studies of prevalence suggests that there is a need to work towards a more standardised information system and to reach a consensus with all the Spanish regions.