Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 22, 2026
Application of Lucilia sericata Larvae in Debridement of Pressure Wounds in Outpatient Settings
Published on: December 4, 2021
[Evaluation of a prevention protocol of pressure ulcers]
Marisol Louro1, Margareth Ferreira1, Pedro Póvoa2
1Hospital Garcia de Orta, Almada.
Insights
Pressure ulcers (PUs) affect over a third of intensive care unit (ICU) patients, with an incidence of 25.8%. Prevention protocols were effective for 79% of patients, though severely ill individuals developed PUs more frequently.
Area of Science:
- Critical Care Medicine
- Dermatology
- Epidemiology
Context:
- Pressure ulcers (PUs) are a significant health concern, particularly within intensive care units (ICUs).
- Understanding PU prevalence, incidence, and associated risk factors is crucial for improving patient outcomes in critical care settings.
Purpose:
- To determine the prevalence and incidence of pressure ulcers (PUs) in ICU patients.
- To identify factors influencing the development of PUs during ICU stays.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a standardized PU prevention and treatment protocol.
Summary:
- A prospective study of 155 ICU patients found a PU prevalence of 37.41% and an incidence of 25.8%.
- New PUs developed around day 7, with an average of 2.6 PUs per affected patient.
- Higher SAPS 2 scores, longer ICU stays, non-survival, and high-risk classification at discharge were associated with increased PU development.
Impact:
- The implemented prevention protocol was effective in 79% of patients, demonstrating its utility in reducing PU development.
- Severely ill patients and those with longer ICU stays are at higher risk, necessitating targeted interventions.
- Findings highlight the need for continued vigilance and adherence to prevention strategies in ICUs to mitigate the burden of pressure ulcers.
Background And Objectives:
Pressure ulcers (PU) constitute an important health problem in particular in the intensive care unit (ICU). The objective of the study was to identify the number, degree and total score of PU on admission, ICU stay and discharge as well as to recognize factors influencing the appearance or development of PU and to identify the number of healed PU, thus so the incidence and prevalence.
Methods:
All patients admitted > 24 hrs were prospectively included during one year. Seventy patients were excluded for insufficient data. The prevention protocol (Norton scale; positioning according the risk grade) and therapeutic protocol (hydrocolloid dressings; hydrogel dressings if tissue necrosis and/or devitalized and alginate dressings if ulcer bleeds) was applied to all patients.
Results:
One hundred and fifty five patients were studied. Eighteen patients were admitted already with PU. During ICU stay, 40 patients developed a total of 125 PU. The prevalence of PU was 37.41% and incidence was 25.8%. The development of new PU occurred on average by the 7th day. Patients with PU presented 2.6 PU on the average. Seventy nine percent of the patients admitted in the ICU remained stable or improved. Patients admitted with PU had a SAPS 2 significantly higher than those without, 54 ± 8.7 and 44 ± 17, respectively (p = 0.015). At the day of discharge, patients classified as high risk had significantly more PU (p = 0.039). Non-survivors had significantly more PU than survivors (p < 0.001). Patients with longer ICU stay had more PU (p < 0.001) CONCLUSIONS: In our patient population we found 37.41% prevalence and 25.8% incidence of PU. The present prevention protocol of PU was effective in 79% of the patients; severely ill patients developed PU more frequently.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:10Pre-Procedural Guidelines for Assessing Blood Pressure
01:26Peripheral Artery Disease IV: Nursing Management
01:19Assessing Blood pressure using a doppler ultrasound
Pre-Procedural Guidelines for Doppler Ultrasound Blood Pressure Assessment:
Preparation of Equipment:
01:23Peripheral Artery Disease V: Postoperative Nursing Management
01:30Venous Thrombosis IV: Nursing Management
01:22Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...