title: Pressure ulcer treatment in pediatric patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess pressure ulcer (PrU) treatment in Swiss hospitalized pediatric patients and to determine whether there are differences in PrU treatment, according to demographic characteristics of the patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A descriptive multicenter point prevalence study was conducted in June 2009 in all German-speaking pediatric hospitals in Switzerland.
  
  
  METHODS
  All hospitalized patients from birth up to 17 years or younger in 14 Swiss pediatric hospitals, including all pediatric departments, were assessed.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 412 patients participated in this study.
  
  
  METHODS
  The instrument and method of the Dutch National Prevalence Measurement of Care Problems were used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-five percent of the patients had a PrU. Almost all of these PrUs (94.1%) were of category 1. The most severe PrUs occurred in patients older than 8 years. Age of the patient and department were the only characteristics that significantly influenced the occurrence of PrU categories 2 to 4. Pressure ulcer categories 2 to 4 were mostly covered with hydrocolloid or polyurethane foam dressings. No pediatric-specific guideline regarding PrU treatment is used in the involved hospitals.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most patients had category 1 PrUs, so appropriate prevention to decrease any further trauma in these patients was necessary. Severe PrUs (categories 2-4) are mostly limited to older pediatric (aged >8 years) patients with chronic conditions or after surgery intervention. A PrU treatment guideline adapted for pediatric needs is recommended.
authors.affiliation: Anna-Barbara Schlüer, MScN, is a Nursing Scientist in the Department of Nursing Development and Science, and the Children's Research Center, at the University Children's Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. Jos M. G. A. Schols, MD, PhD, is a Professor in the Departments of Family Medicine and Health Services Research; and Ruud J. G. Halfens, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Nursing Science in the Department of Health Services Research, both at CAPHRI-Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Anna-Barbara
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Schlüer
authors.forename: Jos M G A
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Schols
authors.forename: Ruud J G
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Halfens
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001458:Bandages; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D054843:Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D010372:Pediatrics; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D017592:Skin Care / Q000379:methods; D013557:Switzerland; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D003879:Dermatologic Agents