High prevalence of skin and wound care of hospitalized elderly in Brazil: a prospective observational study.
BACKGROUND
Skin changes caused by aging increase the risk of skin damages, such as pressure ulcers, during hospitalization of elderly patients. There is few information about the cost of wound treatment in Brazil. Conversely, skin and wound problems are highly reported among hospitalized elderly patients and caregivers. The purpose is to analyze the socio-demographic and clinical profile associated with skin and wound care in hospitalized elderly.


METHODS
This is a prospective observational study. The sample consisted of 75 patients, aged 60 years or more, randomly selected in three hospitals in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Data extraction from nursing records of the sample, using cross mapping with Nursing Interventions Classification. Data Synthesis supported by SAS 6.11 (SAS Institute, Inc. Cary North Carolina) in association with SPSS version 14.0 and statistics analysis.


RESULTS
The findings were: age standard deviation 7.8, with minimum as 60, and maximum as 91 years old. Prevalence of women and married seniors. High prevalence of long-term hospitalization. There were 21 Nursing Interventions in the nursing records and seventeen of them related to skin and wound care. They were described in 57 nursing activities, present during 376 evaluations and repeated 1756 times. A significant difference was obtained between age and the presence of the nursing interventions "Positioning" (p-0.004), Eye Care/Hygiene (p- < 0.0001) and Oral Health Maintenance (p-0.0003).


CONCLUSIONS
The skin care to prevention and treatment of skin damages represented the major demand of nursing interventions in different clinical conditions of hospitalized elderly.
State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA.|, 12 Capen Hall, Buffalo, NY, 14260-1660, USA.
Carleara Ferreira
CF
da Rosa Silva
Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, Federal Fluminense University, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.|, Rua Dr. Celestino, 74, 6º andar, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, CEP: 24020-091, Brazil.
Rosimere Ferreira
RF
Santana
Department of Fundamental Nursing, Federal Fluminense University, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.|, Rua Dr. Celestino, 74, 6º andar, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, CEP: 24020-091, Brazil.
Beatriz Guitton Renaud Baptista
BG
de Oliveira
Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, Federal Fluminense University, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. thalitado@gmail.com.|, Rua Dr. Celestino, 74, 6º andar, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, CEP: 24020-091, Brazil. thalitado@gmail.com.
Thalita Gomes
TG
do Carmo
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009733:Nursing Diagnosis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012867:Skin / Q000293:injuries*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000451:nursing* / Q000628:therapy
Elderly; Pressure ulcer; Wounds and Injuries