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Monitoring the pressure sore problem in a teaching hospital
1Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, England.
Insights
Pressure sore prevalence remained stable, but the total number of pressure sores significantly decreased between 1989 and 1993. This indicates improved management of existing pressure sores despite consistent patient risk levels.
Area of Science:
- Medical research
- Clinical nursing
- Patient safety
Background:
- Pressure sores pose a significant risk to hospitalized patients.
- Effective prevention and management strategies are crucial for patient care.
- Previous data on pressure sore prevalence and risk factors were limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess pressure sore prevalence and patient risk before acquiring new equipment.
- To evaluate the impact of interventions on pressure sore prevention and care.
- To compare pressure sore data from 1989 with 1993 findings.
Main Methods:
- Conducted prevalence surveys in a West Midlands teaching hospital (1989-1993).
- Assessed all inpatients using the Waterlow score for pressure sore risk.
- Recorded details of pressure sores and pressure-relieving equipment in use.
Main Results:
- Overall pressure sore prevalence showed a slight, non-significant decrease from 8.77% (1989) to 7.9% (1993).
- A significant reduction in the total number of pressure sores was observed (64 in 1989 vs. 46 in 1993).
- Patient risk categories (using Waterlow score) remained stable; sacrum was the most frequent sore location.
Conclusions:
- While overall prevalence did not change significantly, the reduction in the number of pressure sores suggests improved management strategies.
- The Waterlow score effectively identified stable patient risk levels over time.
- Continued surveys are essential for guiding the selection of appropriate pressure-relieving equipment.
Abstract:
During 1989 and 1990 a series of three prevalence surveys were undertaken in a West Midlands teaching hospital to identify the numbers of patients at risk of developing pressure sores and the actual number of patients with pressure sores, prior to the purchase of pressure relieving equipment. A further survey was undertaken in January 1993 to examine any improvement in pressure sore prevention strategies and in the care of those with established pressure sores. All in-patients were assessed using the Waterlow score. Full details of all pressure sores and any pressure relieving equipment in use was recorded. The findings were compared with those of the first survey in 1989. The prevalence for 1989 was 8.77%, and this had reduced slightly to 7.9% in 1993. There was no significant difference in these figures. However, in 1989 35 patients had 64 pressure sores and in 1993 32 patients had 46 pressure sores. There was a significant reduction in the actual numbers of pressure sores. There was no significant difference in the grades of sores and the sacrum was the most frequent position in both surveys. The survey showed an improvement in the management of established pressure sores. There was little change in the patient populations with respect to the degree of risk of pressure sore development. Using the Waterlow score, the numbers of patients found to be in the no risk, at risk, high risk and very high risk categories remained remarkably stable. These surveys will continue to provide a basis for selecting pressure relieving equipment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)