ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to discuss the risk factors and frequency associated with pressure ulcer (PU) development in intensive care units (ICU).

A retrospective analysis of patients with PU admitted to the 25-bed ICU on January 1 2016-2017 was carried out. Patients who were in intensive care for more than 48 hours were included in the study. Patients were evaluated in terms of demographic data of pressure ulcers in intensive care unit, number of days in intensive care unit, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, primary diagnoses, days of pressure ulcer development, number of days of mechanical ventilation and wound infections and ulcer pressures.

In follow-up with the Norton risk assessment scale, 25 patient of 1625 patients accepted intensive care developed a pressure ulcer (1.5%). Pressure Ulceration day was found to be 16.5 days from hospitalization. Twenty of 25 patients were treated with wet dressing (Phase II). The most common pathogens in PU infections were Acinetobacter baumanii (in 3 patients) and MRSA (in 2 patients). Sacrum and coccyx were the common areas of pressure sores.

Pressure ulcers are an important problem for intensive care and elderly patients. In these patients, initial applications should be primarily to prevent the development of PU, because risk assessment and prevention efforts may prevent the formation and progression.

Keywords: Pressure ulcer, critically ill, infection