Eduardo Stegensek
Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Mexico
Title: Pressure Ulcers In Several Wards Of A Secondary Care Hospital
Biography
Biography: Eduardo Stegensek
Abstract
Objective: To describe the epidemiological characteristics of pressure ulcers and of the affected population and to estimate the direct costs of care at a secondary level hospital. Methodology: Descriptive and cross-sectional study, in which the entire population over 18 years old from the following medical units was evaluated: General Surgery ward, Plastic Surgery ward, Internal Medicine ward and Intensive Care Unit of a secondary care hospital. Each patient was evaluated daily for 30 consecutive days through the application of a clinical record format. Results: 218 patients were evaluated, of which 61 had one or more pressure ulcers, detecting 378 wounds. The crude prevalence rate was 27.98%, and the incidence rate was 13.30%. The mean age of the affected patients was 61.4+/- 20.94. The most frequent pathologies were cardiovascular diseases. Most of patients with pressure ulcers had some type of incontinence, and/or were overweight. The mean score in the Braden scale was 12.5 +/- 2.83. The greatest proportion of pressure ulcers were localized on the heels, sacrum and shoulder blades, 81.5% being Category I. The direct costs of pressure ulcer care were estimated in $6,457.64 MXN per capita a day. Conclusion: Pressure ulcers are still a problem for patients hospitalized in secondary care units, requiring the intervention of the operative level, healthcare managers and authorities alike, the enhancement of material and human resources and the creation of healthcare politics focalized on prevention and attention of pressure ulcers.