The first national pressure ulcer prevalence survey in county council and municipality settings in Sweden.
OBJECTIVE
To report data from the first national pressure ulcer prevalence survey in Sweden on prevalence, pressure ulcer categories, locations and preventive interventions for persons at risk for developing pressure ulcers.


METHODS
A cross-sectional research design was used in a total sample of 35,058 persons in hospitals and nursing homes. The methodology used was that recommended by the European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel.


RESULTS
The prevalence of pressure ulcers was 16.6% in hospitals and 14.5% in nursing homes. Many persons at risk for developing pressure ulcers did not receive a pressure-reducing mattress (23.3-27.9%) or planned repositioning in bed (50.2-57.5%).


CONCLUSIONS
Despite great effort on the national level to encourage the prevention of pressure ulcers, the prevalence is high. Public reporting and benchmarking are now available, evidence-based guidelines have been disseminated and national goals have been set. Strategies for implementing practices outlined in the guidelines, meeting goals and changing attitudes must be further developed.
Associate Professor, Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University and Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden and Adjunct Assistant Professor, School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA Assistant Professor, Lund University and Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden Assistant Professor, Karlstad University and County Council of Värmland, Karlstad, Sweden Professor, Faculty of Health and Society, Malmö University and Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden.
Lena
L
Gunningberg
Ami
A
Hommel
Carina
C
Bååth
Ewa
E
Idvall
D000293:Adolescent; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006761:Hospitals / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D015995:Prevalence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology