Analysis of decubitus ulcer occurrence in patients receiving conservative treatment in a specialist hospital

Introduction. Decubitus ulcer as a clinical problem occurs among hospitalized patients in every hospital clinical ward. The greatest risk
group is represented by the elderly, the immobilized, chronically and terminal patients. Monitoring and analysis of decubitus ulcer frequency
and occurrence allow successful prevention and treatment.

The aim of the study. The aim of this study is to present the results of monitoring the risk of decubitus ulcer occurrence in a specialist
hospital of conservative profile depending on the ward specialization.

Material and methods. The study was conducted in a year 2010 in a specialist hospital of conservative profile at Medical and Allergology
Unit, Medical and Gastroenterology, Medical and Geriatric Unit, Cardiology, Neurology, Rheumatology, Physiotherapy. The total number of
12,519 patients were included. The Norton and Torrance patients’ cards were used as the research tools. Data analysis was based on statistics
“STATISTICA ľ version 8” and correlation Tau-b Kendalla.

Results. Two per cent of all the patients had decubitus ulcer at the admission. However, at the Medical and Allergology Unit, up to five per
cent of admitted patients to hospital ward suffered from decubitus ulcer, which was the highest rate in comparison with other wards. The
patients endangered with decubitus ulcer amounted to 10% of all the patients treated in hospital. The highest percentage of patients
endangered with decubitus ulcer occurred at the Neurology Department (18%) and Medical and Allergology Unit (19%). The highest
percentage, 26%, of the patients who actually got decubitus during hospital treatment was at Medical and Geriatric Unit, which shows
significant predominance in comparison to Medical and Allergology Unit (4%).

Conclusions. The occurrence of decubitus ulcer in the studied medical profile hospital was comparable with other hospitals of similar
specialization. The higher risk of decubitus ulcer and its diagnosed occurrence were observed in the Medical and Allergology Unit as well
as in Medical and Geriatric Unit and the Neurology Department. Presented study indicates necessity to extend research in order to include
data of particular illness effect on decubitus ulcer occurrence in hospitalized patients.

Nursing Topics 2011; 19 (2): 162–170