Pressure ulcers in hospital patients: incidence and risk factors

Abstract

Objective: With an ageing population and a rising number of people with chronic conditions and disabilities, pressure ulcers (PUs) are a frequent problem. Prevention and treatment, especially targeted at older people, frail and non-self-sufficient patients, are central to care provided by nurses. The objective of this study is to establish the incidence of PUs in hospital inpatients and identify possible associated risk factors. Method: A clinical observational study was conducted from May to November 2019 in a sample of patients admitted to Azienda Sociosanitaria Ligure 2 in Italy. Clinical and sociodemographic data were collected at admission and at discharge, through a questionnaire or collection card. The analysis was done using SAS 9.4 2017 software. Results: In 7% of the 515 participating patients, PUs occurred during hospitalisation; PUs at stages I and II were predominantly in the coccyx, heels and malleolus. Conclusion: Significant associations were found between the development of lesions and age, certain pathologies, the degree of patient autonomy and the level of skin integrity.