ANALYSIS OF DEPENDENCE DEGREE AND PREDISPOSITION TO PRESSURE ULCERS IN PATIENTS AT A TEACHING HOSPITAL

Abstract

It was analyzed the predisposition to pressure ulcers in 23 patients in the Medical Clinic and 17 of Neurology. Throughoutside observation, a patient classification system was applied in 40 patients followed by Braden scale, fromAugust to October/2005.The result was as follows: 02 patients in simple care, 17 in intermediary care, 18 in semi-intensive care and 3 in intensive care.According to Braden Scale, 8 patients were in mild risk, 10 in moderate risk and 22 in high risk to develop pressure ulcers.Among thepatients, 10 were admitted with pressure ulcer, of those, 7 were over 60 years old, and 05 patients developed pressure ulcer between 8and 26 days of admittance. They had a high degree of dependence and the elderly had higher predisposition and development ofpressure ulcer. There was a straight correlation between nursing working conditions and care needs.

Keywords

• Nursing
• Pressure ulcer
• Nursing care