Evaluation of pressure ulcer risks in patients with the cerebrovascular disease

Abstract

It is known that patients with neurologic disorders are at high risk for the development of pressure ulcers. The most effective approach in pressure ulcers is the identification of patients at risk and their prevention. This research was conducted for the purpose of determining the pressure ulcer risk status of individuals with Cerebrovascular Disease (CVD). A total of 104 patients admitted to Cumhuriyet University Hospital's neurology, neurosurgery, and intensive care units with the diagnosis of CVD were included in the study and 51.9 % of the patients were determined to be at very high risk for pressure ulcer formation, and 22.1 % at borderline risk. It was determined that patients were at higher pressure ulcer formation risk who were admitted with the diagnosis of cerebral hemorrhage, over 56 years, obese, had been hospitalized for more than 22 days, had low albumin level and had a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score between 4 and 7. The data were obtained using a Patient Information Form and the Braden Scale for predicting pressure sore risk and analyzed in the SPSS program. Percentage calculation and Chi square tests were used in the statistical analysis.