Prognostic factors associated with pressure sore development in the immediate post-operative period.
The purpose of this study was to identify variables associated with post-operative pressure sore incidence. The data were derived from a sequential, double triangular, randomised, blinded, controlled trial of the intra-operative use of a visco-elastic polymer pad conducted at two centres. Of 446 surgical patients recruited the main endpoint was assessed for 416 patients of whom 65 (15.6%) had a post-operative pressure sore. Analysis determined that the probability of a patient developing a pressure sore was associated with increased number of hypotensive episodes and mean core temperature during surgery, and reduced mobility Day 1 post-operatively. The development of a probability equation illustrates the future potential of prognostic factor research in the development of risk assessment tools and their application within clinical settings.
Nixon
J
J
Centre for Health Services Research, University of Newcastle, Newcastle NE2 4AA, UK. jane.nixon@btinternet.com
Brown
J
J
McElvenny
D
D
Mason
S
S
Bond
S
S
D000368:Aged; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000451:nursing; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000451:nursing; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment