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The prevalence of pressure ulcers in the paediatric population
Laila Habiballah1, Ahmad Tubaishat2
1Irbid National University, Department of Nursing, Irbid, Jordan.
Insights
Pediatric patients in Jordan experience pressure ulcers, with a prevalence of 6.6%. Most ulcers are device-related and occur in critical care units, highlighting the need for vigilant nursing care.
Area of Science:
- Medical Research
- Nursing Science
- Patient Safety
Background:
- Limited research exists on pediatric pressure ulcers, with varied reported prevalence rates.
- Pressure ulcers pose a significant challenge in healthcare settings, particularly for vulnerable pediatric populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence, location, and categories of pressure ulcers (PU) in inpatient pediatric wards.
- To identify patient characteristics associated with pressure ulcers in a Jordanian hospital setting.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive point prevalence study was conducted in two Jordanian hospitals.
- 166 pediatric patients (1 day to 18 years) were assessed for pressure ulcers using the European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel classification.
- Exclusion criteria included isolation, burn, emergency units, outpatient clinics, and psychiatric wards.
Main Results:
- A prevalence rate of 6.6% for pressure ulcers was found, with 2.4% when Category I ulcers were excluded.
- Most pressure ulcers (90.9%) were in critical care units, predominantly Category I (63.6%) and device-related (63.6%).
- The face (54.5%) and occiput (18.2%) were the most common locations; affected patients were often male (54.5%) and under 12 months old (72.7%), with longer hospital stays.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric patients in Jordan do develop pressure ulcers, with prevalence rates comparable to international findings.
- Device-related pressure ulcers in critical care units are a significant concern.
- Increased nursing vigilance is recommended for pediatric patients using medical devices to prevent pressure ulcers.
Background:
A paucity of research related to the problem of pressure ulcers in paediatrics is found, with a variety of reported prevalence rates.
Objective:
To record the prevalence, location and categories of PU in the inpatient paediatric wards, and to identify the characteristics of pressure ulcer patients.
Design:
A descriptive point prevalence study.
Setting:
All paediatric inpatient wards in two hospitals in Jordan. One of which is a university-affiliated hospital and the other a paediatric public hospital. Isolation, burn and emergency units, outpatients' clinics and psychiatric wards were excluded.
Sample:
One sixty six paediatric patients aged from one day up to 18 years from both hospitals.
Methods:
Patients who met the inclusion criteria were included and examined for the existence of pressure ulcers on one day in each hospital by the primary investigator. The European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel classification system was used to categorise each identified ulcer. The characteristics of ulcers were collected as well.
Results:
Sixteen ulcers were identified in 11 patients, giving a prevalence rate of 6.6%.When Category I ulcers were excluded, the prevalence rate dropped to 2.4%. All except one of the PU patients were being treated in critical care units (n = 10, 90.9%), and most of the ulcers were category one (n = 7, 63.6%) and caused by devices (n = 7, 63.6). The face was the most frequently reported location of PUs (n = 6, 54.5%), followed by the occiput (n = 2, 18.2%). Most PU patients were male (n = 6, 54.5%), and less than 12 months old (n = 8, 72.7%). PU patients had experienced longer hospital stays than patients free from PU (U = 499.0, p = 0.02).
Conclusion:
Jordanian paediatric patients do have pressure ulcers, with a prevalence rate congruent with previously reported international rates. Most of the ulcers found were caused by devices used in critical care units. This should encourage nurses to pay extra attention to their paediatric patients when they are connected to medical devices.
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