[Incidence of pressure ulcers at a university hospital]

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the incidence of pressure ulcers (PU) at São Paulo University Hospital--Brazil, as well as to establish possible associations with patients' sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Data were collected during three months, involving 211 risk patients, resulting in a 39.8% incidence level. A significant statistical correlation (p<0.05) was found between incidence level and age and PU area; and between age and humidity, time of hospitalization and nutrition, PU area and nutrition. Results indicate the urgent need to implant a PU prevention and treatment program at the institution and provide methodological contributions for other services to develop this kind of research.