A Study on the Pressure Ulcers in Neurological Patients in Intensive Care Units

Im, Mi Ja; Park, Hyoung Sook

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide basic data and to identify the risk of pressure ulcers among neurological patients in ICU. METHOD: The participants in the study were on 78 neurological patients in the ICU of 3 hospitals. Data were collected every other day from 24 hours after admission, for up to 40 days or until discharge. The total period of data collection was 3 months. The risk assessment scales used for pressure ulcer were the Cubbin & Jackson(1991) scale and the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel(1989) skin assessment tool.
RESULTS
There was a significant relationship between having a pressure ulcers and weight, skin condition, mental status, respiration, hygiene and hemodynamic status compared to not having a pressure ulcer. The incidence rate of the pressure ulcer was 28.2%(n=22). Of these patients the mean number of hospitalization days until pressure ulcer development was 5.2 days. The most common pressure ulcer site was the coccyx(39.3%). Based on a cut-off point of 24, 9 patients with risk scores <24 on admission also showed risk score for development of pressure ulcers, 10 patients with pressure ulcer scores > or =24 were older, hospitalized for a longer time, had low serum albumin, low hemoglobin, diabetes mellitus and surgery.
CONCLUSION
In order to make the Cubbin & Jackson risk assessment scales more useful, there is a need to determine the reliability of the upper cut-off point 24. The result also showed a need to assess other risk factors and for early identification of at-risk patients in order to provide preventive care from admission to discharge.