The occurrence of pressure ulcer in patients admitted to a public hospital in Fortaleza-CE

Abstract

This study aimed at investigating the occurrence of pressure ulcer in patients admitted to a public tertiary referral centre for trauma in Fortaleza. It is a cross-sectional, quantitative, documentary, and analytical study carried out from 01 to 31 August 2010. The study was approved by the institution's Regulations and Ethical Standards Committee. Statistical analysis was performed using Pearson's chi-square test. P-value p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Of the 75 patients studied, 27, that is, 36% of the patients presented pressure ulcer. The sample profile was characterized by the predominance of elderly patients in which 15 (55.5%) were male and 16 (59%) were female patients; 18 (66.7%) were admitted to the unit 16th; 20 (74.1%) died because of pathologies related to trauma; 31 (67.4%) patients presented stage II pressure ulcers, 18 patients (66.7%) in the sacral region. An advanced age (over 60 years old) and a long hospitalization period (from 16 days) are among the risk factors identified in this study. A highly significant association (p <0.001) between the hospitalization period and the presence of pressure ulcer was observed. These results demonstrated the risk of developing pressure ulcers is high; therefore, investment in prevention as well as a multidisciplinary approach aiming at reducing the condition and improving the quality of care provided to patients with pressure ulcers is essential.