Prevalence and treatment of pressure ulcers in northern New South Wales.
This paper reports on a small, cross-sectional study of 18 hospitals in northern New South Wales. The objectives of this study were to collect baseline data on: (i) the prevalence and type of pressure ulcers in a variety of rural hospitals; and (ii) the range of nursing and medical interventions that are used to prevent/treat pressure ulcers. Using a cross-sectional design, the study found that pressure ulcer prevalence, which was 6%, was within the range found by previous reports (4-15%). Pressure ulcer prevention and treatment practices were varied, ranging from turning of the patient and occlusive dressings, to such creative methods as exposure to sunshine and airing the wound. This study demonstrates that despite years of attention to pressure sore prevention and treatment, the prevalence of ulcers is still a significant problem in northern New South, Wales hospitals.
Pearson
A
A
Department of Clinical Nursing, University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
Francis
K
K
Hodgkinson
B
B
Curry
G
G
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009517:New South Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000451:nursing / Q000628:therapy; D015995:Prevalence; D019035:Rural Health Services