[Occurrence of pressure ulcers in a hospital. Registration of pressure relief and documentation in medical records].
BACKGROUND
University Centre of Woundhealing, Odense University Hospital (OUH) has conducted a prevalence study of pressure ulcers. The purpose of this article is to present the results of the study.


METHODS
All patients above the age of 15 years who were in hospital in week 5-6 2008 were included in the study. Six wound nurses and two doctors from the University Centre of Woundhealing undertook the examination. The following were recorded: length of stay, gender, age, number and grade of pressure ulcer(s). The pressure ulcer relief of the patients and documentation in the hospital journals were also recorded.


RESULTS
A total of 591 inpatients were included. In all, 164 patients were excluded and 427 patients from the project group were examined. 192 patients were found with pressure ulcers of grade 0-IV, corresponding to a prevalence of 32.5%. If grade 0 pressure ulcers were not included, the prevalence was 17.3%.


CONCLUSIONS
The study showed a high prevalence. There was an overall insufficient pressure ulcer relief of patients and missing documentation in hospital journals.
Dorsche
Karin Marion
KM
Odense Universitetshospital, Universitetscenter for Sårheling/Plastikkirurgisk Afdeling, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark. harnow@mail.dk
Fremmelevholm
Aase
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001512:Bedding and Linens; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D004282:Documentation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D056888:Patient Positioning; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D015995:Prevalence; D012042:Registries; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014945:Wound Healing; D055815:Young Adult