A national prevalence study of pressure ulcers in French hospital inpatients.
OBJECTIVE
To ascertain pressure ulcer prevalence rate in French hospitals.


METHODS
In 2004, a cross-sectional study was conducted in all French hospitals, except university hospitals. The National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP) staging was used. Data were collected using two self-administered questionnaires.


RESULTS
A total of 37,307 inpatients in 1170 wards in 1149 hospitals were assessed, representing a response rate of 93.5%. Their mean age was 72.3 years and 62% were females. In all, 3314 patients had at least one pressure ulcer, giving a prevalence rate of 8.9%. A total of 4991 pressure ulcers were recorded; 64% of the patients had only one pressure ulcer. Fifty-five per cent of the patients had at least two concomitant diseases. When patients with only one ulcer were assessed, the most common locations were the heels (53%) and sacrum (29%). Heel pressure ulcers were more common in patients with obliterative arterial disease, and sacral pressure ulcers were more frequent in incontinent (urine, faecal and double incontinence) patients. Patients with multiple pressure ulcers had more severe lesions.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that the prevalence of pressure ulcers in French hospital inpatients has remained stable since the last prevalence study undertaken 10 years before, when the rate was 8.9%. Such studies should be encouraged in all health-care settings as a means of improving the care provided.
Barrois
B
B
Rehabilitation Ward, Gonesse Hospital, France. Brigitte.barrois@ch-gonesse.fr
Labalette
C
C
Rousseau
P
P
Corbin
A
A
Colin
D
D
Allaert
F
F
Saumet
J L
JL
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006304:Health Status; D006779:Hospitals, Public / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009731:Nursing Audit; D011159:Population Surveillance; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D017678:Sex Distribution; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017749:Total Quality Management