title: [Prevalence and prevention and treatment modalities for pressure sores. Study of the Emilia-Romagna region].
abstract: This audit initiative aimed at assessing the prevalence of pressure sores in the public hospitals of Emilia-Romagna, and at monitoring the rate of use of specific modalities of prevention and cure. The design was cross-sectional, with information collected on three index days during 2000 by trained personnel. Overall, the prevalence of pressure sores at the regional level was 7.1%, with remarkable variation across hospitals (from 2.9% to 9.7%), also after adjustment for case mix. As for patterns of prevention and cure, 74% of patients at risk (according to the Braden scale) of developing a pressure sores received only standard low technology devices, and 50% of those in need were included in a systematic programme of postural change. Adequate (according to the available evidence) medications were used in 45% of patients with a pressure sore. The overall prevalence of pressure sore is close (or even inferior) to that observed in similar studies. However, variation between hospitals indicates that the current health services ability to deal with pressure sore is variable and often suboptimal. This evaluation is also supported by the limited adoption of adequate preventive and curative modalities.
authors.affiliation: Area di programma governo clinico, Agenzia sanitaria regionale Emilia-Romagna, Bologna. rgrilli@asr.regione.emilia-romagna.it
authors.forename: Rita Maria
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Melotti
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fortuna
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chiari
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cavicchioli
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mongardi
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Santullo
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Grilli
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D015995:Prevalence
vernacular_title: Prevalenza e modalità di prevenzione e trattamento delle lesioni da decubito. Uno studio della Regione Emilia-Romagna.