Prevalence of pressure ulcers in critical patients hospitalized in a university hospital

Abstract

Retrospective study carried out at a university hospital after the approval by the Ethics Committee, reviewing the records of 234 critical patients who had been hospitalized in the Critical Care Unit (CCU). On admission, 30% of the patients presented pressure ulcers (PU), 55% had PU during hospitalization in the CCU and 10% after leaving the unit. The chi-squared test identified an association between PU and age greater or equal to 65 years old, greater time of hospitalization and leaving hospital through death. Recommendations are made for patients which present the risk for the implementation of adequate preventive measures.