Risks and prevalence of pressure ulcers among patients in an acute hospital in Finland.

OBJECTIVE: To quantify pressure ulcer (PU) prevalence and to describe and identify the PU risk factors in acute hospital wards.

METHOD: A descriptive quantitative study was performed in 13 wards in a central hospital in Finland. The study included PU risk evaluation using the Braden risk assessment method, and full skin and medical assessment of consenting adult patients. Patients in paediatric, maternity and psychiatric wards, and in the intensive care unit were excluded. Patient's PUs were examined on the ward, and evaluated and classified using the international European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel and National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (EPUAP/NPUAP) Pressure Ulcer Classification System. Demographic data, the Braden risk assessment scale, skin assessment, and the location and severity of PUs were also recorded.

RESULTS: A sample of 229 inpatients was examined for signs of PUs on one day in 2013. The overall PU prevalence was 8.7% (20 patients). Of those assessed as 'at risk of developing PUs', four patients (1.7%) were considered at 'very high risk', 39 patients (17.0%) at 'high risk', and 60 patients (26.2%) with a 'moderate risk'. The patient's age and length of treatment period were associated with PU risk, while only length of treatment period was associated with PU prevalence. Older patients had a higher risk of PUs than younger ones. The longer the hospital stay, the higher the PU risk was. In addition, patients with a long hospital stay more often had a PU.

CONCLUSION: According to the study, PUs occur with significant frequency in acute hospital wards. It is important to carry out PU prevention actions among all patient groups, but risk increases among older patients and those who, for any reason, stay in hospital for a longer period of time.