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Pulmonary Embolism III: Nursing Management
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Pressure sores among hospitalized patients
Insights
Approximately 17% of hospitalized patients develop pressure sores or are at risk. Key risk factors for hospital-acquired pressure injuries include hypoalbuminemia, fecal incontinence, and fractures.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Medicine
- Nursing Research
- Patient Safety
Background:
- Hospitalized patients are susceptible to pressure sores.
- Identifying patients at risk is crucial for prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- Determine the prevalence of pressure sores in hospitalized patients.
- Identify factors associated with pressure sore development.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional survey of 634 adult patients.
- Logistic regression analysis to identify independent risk factors.
Main Results:
- 4.7% of patients had pressure sores; 12.3% were at risk.
- Fecal incontinence, diarrhea, fractures, urinary catheter use, decreased weight, dementia, and hypoalbuminemia were associated with pressure sores.
- Hypoalbuminemia (OR=3.0), fecal incontinence (OR=3.1), and fractures (OR=5.2) were independent predictors.
Conclusions:
- 17% of hospitalized patients have or are at risk for pressure sores.
- Hypoalbuminemia, fecal incontinence, and fractures identify high-risk bedridden patients.
- These findings can inform targeted prevention strategies.
Abstract:
A cross-sectional survey was done to determine the prevalence of pressure sores in hospitalized patients and the factors associated with having a pressure sore in the hospital. Among 634 adult patients, 30 (4.7%; 3.1% to 6.3%, 95% confidence interval) had a pressure sore and 78 (12.3%; 9.8% to 14.8%) were at risk for a pressure sore because they had been confined to a bed or chair for at least 1 week. Comparing these two groups of patients, we found that fecal incontinence, diarrhea, fractures, urinary catheter use, decreased weight, dementia, and hypoalbuminemia were associated with having pressure sores (p less than or equal to 0.05). Using logistic regression analysis, hypoalbuminemia, fecal incontinence, and fractures remained significantly and independently associated with having a pressure sore (odds ratios = 3.0, 3.1, and 5.2, respectively; p less than or equal to 0.05). Our findings suggest that 17% (14% to 20%) of hospitalized patients have pressure sores or are at risk for them, and that hypoalbuminemia, fecal incontinence, and fractures may identify bedridden patients at greatest risk.
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