North Carolina wound nurses examine heel pressure ulcers.
OBJECTIVE
Heels are the second most common location for pressure ulcers, and their prevalence is increasing. The purpose of this multisite research project was to describe physical characteristics and medical history of patients experiencing heel pressure ulcers (PUs).


METHODS
The settings for this study were different healthcare settings (acute care, long-term care, and homecare) in North Carolina and Virginia, where member WOC nurses perform consultative services for patients with heel ulcers. Patients older than 18 years with a heel PU were included in the study.


METHODS
A data collection tool was developed by the authors. Participating members of the NC WOC Nurses Group identified 84 participants. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data by using proportions, means, standard deviations, and ranges.


RESULTS
Over half of the population had a palpable pedal pulse. Full-thickness PUs were found in 45% of the sample while 19% had suspected deep tissue loss. Subjects tended to be elderly and have low nutritional markers, high body mass index, multiple comorbid conditions such as diabetes mellitus, systemic infection, end-stage renal disease and peripheral arterial disease, as well as low Braden Scale scores.


CONCLUSIONS
The study revealed important factors specific to heel PUs including advanced age, malnutrition, high body mass index, and multiple comorbid conditions. Further research is needed to further refine our knowledge of our factors associated with an increase likelihood of heel PUs. Our findings also point out the need for a tool specific for the evaluation of heel PU risk.
Clegg
Amy
A
Moses Cone Health System, 1200 Elm Street, Greensboro, NL 27401, USA.
Kring
Daria
D
Plemmons
Judy
J
Richbourg
Leanne
L
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002983:Clinical Competence; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D006365:Heel / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009657:North Carolina; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009733:Nursing Diagnosis / Q000379:methods*; D015399:Nursing Research; D010347:Patient Care Planning / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000451:nursing* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D017592:Skin Care / Q000379:methods; D014768:Virginia; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology