Risk factors and prevalence of pressure injury in elderly hospitalized patients

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to determine the risk factors and prevalence of pressure injury (PI) in elderly hospitalized patients. Methods: This study has a descriptive, prospective, cross-sectional design. The sample size was 382, and data were collected using an introductory information form, the Braden Scale, a health diagnosis form, a skin assessment chart, and the pressure injury staging classification of the National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel. Results: The mean age of the patients was 76.20 ± 8.36 years. In this study, 55.2% of the patients were female. PI was present in 14.6% of patients hospitalized in the research hospital and 16.0% of patients referred from another hospital. About 6.8%, 31.6%, and 17.9% of the patients were in PI stages I, II, and III. Unstageable and suspected deep tissue injuries comprised of 36.7% of cases. PI was mostly (37.6%) around the sacrum and coccyx. PI was 2.5 times higher (P = .001) in the 75 years and older age group than in those aged between 65-74 years. PI was 15.8 times higher in patients who could not change the bed position, 10.6 times higher in those with many invasive procedures, and 8.8 times higher in the presence of urinary incontinence. Conclusion: The prevalence of PI in hospitalized elderly patients is high. It is important for nurses to determine the risk factors for elderly patients. PI frequency and stages indicate the risk factors ofelderly and inmobile patients to which nurses should pay attention. © 2023, AVES. All rights reserved.