Pressure ulcer prevalence in emergency hospitals: a cross-sectional study

Aims:  To  identify  the  point  prevalence  of  pressure  ulcers  in  anemergency hospital and in different units and to investigate the association between the presence  of  ulcers  and  demographic  and  clinical  variables.  Method:  This  is  a  cross-sectional,  descriptive,  and  analytical  study,  held  over  a  single  day  in  a  public  hospital aimed  at  teaching  emergency  in  a  university  course,  involving  87  adults  and  elderly patients  hospitalized  throughout  the  hospital.  A  risk  assessment  was  carried  out  for pressure ulcers and skin inspection of patients. Results: The point prevalence of pressure ulcers in the institution was 40%. The point prevalence was higher in the intensive care unit. An association was found between the presence of ulcers and a greater amount of drugs, as well as longer hospital stays and lower scores on the Braden Scale. Conclusion: The  methods  used  for  assessing  the  prevalence  can  be  used  by  nurses  in operational research  to  assess  the  problem  context  and  also  in  scientific  studies  that  allow  the comparison of results in national and international contexts.