Pressure Sores Among Hospitalized Patients

Abstract

A cross-sectional survey was done to determine the prevalence of pressure sores in hospitalized patients and the factors associated with having a pressure sore in the hospital. Among 634 adult patients, 30 (4.7%; 3.1% to 6.3%, 95% confidence interval) had a pressure sore and 78 (12.3%; 9.8% to 14.8%) were at risk for a pressure sore because they had been confined to a bed or chair for at least 1 week. Comparing these two groups of patients, we found that fecal incontinence, diarrhea, fractures, urinary catheter use, decreased weight, dementia, and hypoalbuminemia were associated with having pressure sores (p ≤ 0.05). Using logistic regression analysis, hypoalbuminemia, fecal incontinence, and fractures remained significantly and independently associated with having a pressure sore (odds ratios = 3.0, 3.1, and 5.2, respectively; p ≤0.05). Our findings suggest that 17% (14% to 20%) of hospitalized patients have pressure sores or are at risk for them, and that hypoalbuminemia, fecal incontinence, and fractures may identify bedridden patients at greatest risk.