ORIGINAL ARTICLES   

Acta Vulnologica 2012 June;10(2):41-56

Copyright © 2012 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English, Italian

Correlation between hospital stay and onset of pressure ulcers: observations on long-term hospital care and the originating department of patients

Giuliani G. C.

Department of Long-term Care “Villa Iris” Casa di Cura, Pianezza, Turin, Italy

The incidence and prevalence of pressure sores vary depending on the observed populations, and in particular on the department in which they are hospitalized. A sample of patients hospitalized in a long-term care department was evaluated: 2500 patients have been observed, constituting a group study for which data on several functional and non functional parameters have been collected. The provenience of most patients presenting bed sores was observed in departments where the shelter is justified by a severe acute event (such as hip fractures, stroke, tumor, etc..), i.e. neurology, orthopedic, urology and oncology departments, for which worse scores than acute department and long-term care departments have been observed. These data show important data about the genesis of the lesions and the risk score, as well as the speed with which they form and the severity of the acute event. In the case of chronic patients, the worsening of the lesion is slower and more progressive. In such cases, a higher sensitivity of the service personnel is accompanied by a better management of the problem and more efficient treatment of lesions.