Report on the prevalence of skin ulcers in a home health agency population.
OBJECTIVE
This survey was conducted to assess the presence of skin ulcers within a home health agency population in the United States.


METHODS
This voluntary survey was conducted by 177 home health agencies. A single observation of each patient within the agency's active caseload formed the cohort examined. Patients deemed to be at low risk (Braden Scale score > 19) were eliminated from further evaluation, while those with skin ulcers were evaluated for wound- and caregiver-related factors. Surveys were conducted between March 1, 1996, and December 31, 1997.


METHODS
Home health agencies in 19 states throughout the United States, with no restrictions on the type or acuity of the patients served.


RESULTS
A total of 21,529 patients were surveyed, with a prevalence of pressure ulcers (inclusive of all stages) of 6.8% (n = 1455). Rates for each agency ranged between 0.5% and 35.7%. The total number of ulcers reported was 2526 (average per patient was 1.7), with 36% (n = 919) found on the sacrum and the buttocks.


CONCLUSIONS
Pressure ulcers were the most frequently reported reason for admission to the agency's caseload. Survey results are similar to rates reported in other segments of the health care industry. However, among the home health care population, the primary caregiver is unlikely to be a health care professional. This survey found that the patient's spouse was the primary caregiver in 30% (n = 437) of the 1450 responses received regarding the relationship of the primary caregiver to the patient.
Meehan
M
M
Healthcare Concepts, Inc, Annapolis, MD, USA.
O'Hara
L
L
Morrison
Y M
YM
D001458:Bandages; D003152:Community Health Nursing / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D018574:Home Care Agencies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D011159:Population Surveillance; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D017592:Skin Care / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D016526:Workload