Risk of developing pressure ulcer after admission to a hospital institution: Assessment using the Braden scale and associated risk factors

Abstract

Abstract: 

Pressure ulcers (PUs) are a skin lesion, produced by pressure between two hard planes and the tissues involved between them. Its appearance depends on extrinsic / intrinsic factors. They constitute a global health problem. Its prevalence in the hospital goes from 3.5% to 45%, older people are the most affected because of their physical and health condition.

The objective of the study is to predict the population at risk of developing PUs using the Braden Scale (BE), demographic and risk factors, in the hospitalization of adult patients.

Observational and cross-sectional study, June 2021, at the Hospital Nacional de Clínicas (HNC). Data were collected from the clinical history, prescription and nursing registry of adult patients over 18 years of age of both sexes within 24 hours of their admission. The cut-off point was the value ≤18 of the BE. Demographic, clinical, and anthropometric variables, plus medication and the use of diapers were analyzed. Microsoft Excel and Stata version 15.0 were used.

39 patients, 16 men and 23 women, were studied with a similar mean. There is no association between sex and the risk of acquiring a PU (p value: 0.157). The average age was 72.8 ± 13 years (median: 72-mode: 70). There is a positive linear relationship between the probability of acquiring a PU and age (p-value <0.05).

25.6% had a healthy weight, 43.6% suffered from diabetes and / or hypertension and 72% were prescribed corticosteroids. 29 patients (74.36%) were at risk of suffering from PU, 13 at high risk.

An association was found between the probability of acquiring PU and the use of diapers (p-value <0.001). The patient who wears a diaper has a 20% more chance of acquiring PU (OR: 20.25).

The high probability of acquiring a PU after hospital admission in elderly patients corroborates the need to implement programs and actions to avoidtheir formation. EB is a very useful tool to classify which patients should receive more care and attention from the health personnel.