Pressure ulcer prevalence in two general hospitals

Area of Science:

• Clinical Medicine
• Nursing Research
• Patient Safety

Background:

• Pressure ulcers (PUs) are a significant healthcare concern, impacting patient well-being and increasing healthcare costs.
• Identifying risk factors is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies in hospital settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence and identify major contributing factors for pressure ulcer development in two general hospitals.
• To analyze risk factors in specific high-risk populations, including spinal cord injury and nursing home care units.

Main Methods:

• Data collected from two general hospitals with a total bed count of 2,307.
• Statistical analysis included SPSSX, chi-square, analysis of variance, and Cramer's contingency coefficient.
• Inclusion of data from specialized units (Spinal Cord Injury, Nursing Home Care) for high-risk populations.

Main Results:

• Significant factors associated with pressure ulcers included: diagnosis, decreased hemoglobin, hematocrit, total protein, and albumin levels.
• Impaired mobility status, use of restraints, and bowel incontinence were also significant risk factors.
• Inconclusive factors: diastolic blood pressure < 60 mmHg, recent surgery (within two weeks), and nutritional status.

Conclusions:

• Clinical indicators such as specific diagnoses, low protein levels, immobility, restraints, and incontinence are strongly linked to pressure ulcer formation.
• Further research may be needed to clarify the role of diastolic blood pressure, recent surgery, and nutrition in PU development.
• These findings underscore the importance of comprehensive patient assessment and targeted interventions for pressure ulcer prevention.