Risk factors related to the development of pressure ulcers in the critical care setting.
OBJECTIVE
This study identified risk factors for pressure ulcer development early in the admission stage to determine what appropriate interventions might be conducted early in the admission stage to decrease the risk of pressure ulcer development.


BACKGROUND
Among patients who develop pressure ulcers, 8-40% of them occur in a critical care setting. Therefore, the development of pressure ulcers is a common problem.


METHODS
Prospective cohort study.


METHODS
The study facility was a 606-bed tertiary care hospital. Ninety eight patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) or the high care unit (HCU) from 16 April 2003-15 July 2003 were evaluated in the final analysis.


RESULTS
The mean patient age was 62.3 (SD 16.1) years, and the incidence of pressure ulcers in this study was 11.2% during the observation period. Multivariate analysis showed that 'emergency ICU/HCU patients' and 'infrequent turning' were related to pressure ulcer development. Patients with pressure ulcers experienced significantly fewer turns and repositionings (OR = 0.452, 95% CI: 0.212-0.966], p < 0.05. Fewer pressure ulcers developed in scheduled ICU/HCU patients than in emergency ICU/HCU patients (OR = 0.041 [95% CI: 0.004-0.470], p < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
There was no relationship between pressure ulcer development and APACHE II score, or any medication that affected skin integrity. The frequency of turning and repositioning and patients with an emergency admission to the ICU/HCU can be the prognostic indicators for developing scoring system in critical care settings.


CONCLUSIONS
These patients admitted directly to ICU or HCU were in a high risk group, further preventive strategies will be required.
Kaitani
Toshiko
T
Department of Gerontological Nursing/Wound Care Management, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan. kaitanit-tky@umin.ac.jp
Tokunaga
Keiko
K
Matsui
Noriko
N
Sanada
Hiromi
H
D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003422:Critical Care; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000451:nursing / Q000517:prevention & control; D012307:Risk Factors