Retrospective Evaluation of Pressure Ulcers in the Intensive Care Unit

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to investigate the incidence and risk factors of pressure ulcers (PU) in the intensive care unit (ICU).
METHODS: Patients who developed PU in the ICU between January and June 2019 were retrospectively investigated. Patients who were treated in the ICU for longer than 72 h were included. Patient demographics, length of stay, cause of admission, risk scores at ICU admission, comorbidities, time to PU development, PU stage, Braden Scale at admission and discharge, invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) duration, use of sedatives of vasopressors, laboratory results, and mode of discharge were recorded for patients with PU. Patient factors were compared between age groups.
RESULTS: Among the 411 patients admitted to the ICU, there were PU in 60 patients (14.5%). The median age was 72 years and the median length of ICU stay was 39.5 days for the patients with PU. 96.7% of patients with PU were under IMV, 83.3% were under sedatives, and 68.3% were administered vasopressors. The median time to PU development was 14 days. The most frequent PU stages were stage 1 and stage 2. PU were most frequently located in the sacrum and the heel. The rate of PU was higher in patients aged 65 or above.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Multiple factors contribute to PU development. A comprehensive PU management plan is necessary for the prevention of PU in the ICU.