Evaluation of the prevalence of the pressure ulcers and their predisposing factors in patients admitted in intensive care unit of Urmia Imam Khomeini Hospital at 2011-2012

Pressure ulcer is a common problem among patients specially at intensive care unit with prolonged duration of stay and it's related cost and complications are pointed to the patients and health system. In this study, 249 patients admitted during one year in the general intensive care unit Urmia of Imam Khomeini Hospital were studied. Patient's demographic characteristics including age, gender and other patient information, including the underlying disease, chronic or acute disease, patient's duration of stay, plasma albumin levels were collected in check list by the researcher and were analyzed with SPSS statistical software. Among the 249 evaluated patients, 43 (17.3%) had pressure ulcer. Prevalence of pressure ulcer was higher among the elderly, chronic illness, low level of consciousness, women and patients with longer duration of stay and it was more frequent in patients admitted for internal problems compared to traumatic patients. There was not any significant relationship between plasma albumin level and incidence of pressure ulcers. With regards to the 17.3 percent prevalence of pressure ulcer at general intensive care unit of Urmia imam khomeini hospital, considering the risk factors related to the pressure ulcer and other necessary precautions during the patient's position changes by nurses and other health care providers in the intensive care unit can be helpful in reducing its incidence.