Dilemmas in measuring and using pressure ulcer prevalence and incidence: an international consensus.
Pressure ulcer prevalence and incidence data are increasingly being used as indicators of quality of care and the efficacy of pressure ulcer prevention protocols. In some health care systems, the occurrence of pressure ulcers is also being linked to reimbursement. The wider use of these epidemiological analyses necessitates that all those involved in pressure ulcer care and prevention have a clear understanding of the definitions and implications of prevalence and incidence rates. In addition, an appreciation of the potential difficulties in conducting prevalence and incidence studies and the possible explanations for differences between studies are important. An international group of experts has worked to produce a consensus document that aims to delineate and discuss the important issues involved, and to provide guidance on approaches to conducting and interpreting pressure ulcer prevalence and incidence studies. The group's main findings are summarised in this paper.
Center for Nursing Research, East Tennessee State University & James H Quillen Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Johnson City, Tennessee, USA.
Mona M
MM
Baharestani
Joyce M
JM
Black
Keryln
K
Carville
Michael
M
Clark
Janet E
JE
Cuddigan
Carol
C
Dealey
Tom
T
Defloor
Keith G
KG
Harding
Nils A
NA
Lahmann
Maarten J
MJ
Lubbers
Courtney H
CH
Lyder
Takehiko
T
Ohura
Heather L
HL
Orsted
Steve I
SI
Reger
Marco
M
Romanelli
Hiromi
H
Sanada
D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015995:Prevalence; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*