. Incidence and risk factors associated with the development of pressure ulcers in an Italian general intensive care unit.
Introduction: Pressure ulcers (PU) represent one of the most frequent adverse event in intensive care units (ICU). Critical patients are at higher risk of developing a PU, with an incidence between 3.3-39.3%.
Aim: To assess the incidence and risk factors for developing PUs in a general ICU of an Italian University hospital.
Methods: Retrospective observational study on a sample of 122 patients admitted to a general intensive care unit, from January to December 2015, with a length of ICU stay > 5 days. PUs were stadied according to the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel.
Results: One hundred and twenty two patients were enrolled. The incidence of PUs was 33%, and the incidence rate was 23 PUs for 1.000 days of ICU stay; 29% of PUs were of stage I, 56% of stage II, 8% stage III and 6% stage IV. PUs mainly affected the sacrum (21%) with a very low incidence in the heels (1.6%). Despite several factors were associated to the development of PUs (being female, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment, length of stay, mechanical ventilation > 72 hours, administration of dobutamine, Admission pO 2/FiO2 ratio, mean Braden during ICU stay and admission diagnosis) only ICU lenght of day remained statistically significant.
Conclusions: The incidence of PUs is comparable to other recent studies. Many factors are potentially involved in the onset of PUs. Identifying these factors can help nurses to plan interventions to prevent their development.