title: [Incidence and risk recording of pressure ulcers: results of quality measurement of the Verein Outcome in Swiss hospitals].
abstract: Avoidance of ulcers is one of the key duties of nursing professionals. A low rate of decubitus ulcer is an indicator for the quality of nursing. The Verein Outcome (Switzerland) collected data on the incidence of ulcers in 51 hospitals with a total of 88 636 patients. Additionally, the data included an analysis of the severity of the impairment, a risk assessment, and an inquiry of the predictive validity of the Norton scale. The incidence turned out to be rather low at 3.1%. 2.6% of all patients came into treatment with an ulcer already in existence while 3.8% were still suffering from an ulcer at the time of their discharge. Although these rates can be considered low compared to rates cited in international studies, changes in routine care should be implemented for the subsequent benefit of future patients. Using the Norton scale, 9.5% of all patients were at risk for developing an ulcer, and 14% of this group actually formed one. The use of the Norton scale has a tendency to overestimate the risk of ulcer development. The sensitivity of the Norton scale was computed to be at 42.4%, whereas the specificity scored 91.5%. Enhancements of the Norton scale, therefore, are essential as a comprehensive, reproducible, and transparent risk assessment is an efficient prophylactic method for the avoidance of ulcers.
authors.affiliation: Verein Outcome Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland. christoph.gehrlach@vereinoutcome.ch
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gehrlach
authors.forename: Ina
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Otzen
authors.forename: Rolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Küttel
authors.forename: Regula
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Heller
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lerchner
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000592:standards; D009737:Nursing Records; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing*; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012306:Risk; D013557:Switzerland