[Epidemiology of pressure ulcers: interpreting data epidemiological as an indicator of quality].

Abstract

Introduction: The incidence of pressure ulcers (PU) is still a current problem in our society and a constant challenge for all professionals and health institutions. Health professionals worry increasingly about the safety of their patients in the hospital environment. However, pressure ulcers continue to be one of the most common types of injuries acquired during hospitalization.

Objective: The objective of this study is to compare the incidence and prevalence of pressure ulcers in community settings and care differentiated and interpret these values as indicators of quality of care.

Methods: A review of literture reporting incidence and prevalence of pressure ulcer as an outcome measure and is relation with quality indicators. Electronic databases (CINAHL, MEDLINE and EBSCO) were searched from 1 January 1999 to 31 Dezembro 2012 in the English, Spanish and Portuguese language. The MESH descriptors data were Pressure ulcer, epidemiology, Quality indicator, incidence and prevalence.

Results: The 17 papers reported studiest conducted in nine countries. Diderent measurement instruments were utilised to measure theincidence and prevalence of pressure ulcers. Four themes emerged from the thematic analysis, the importance of prevention and treatment, diferential diagnosis and summary minimum data set for epidemiological studies. Prevalence varies in Europe between 3 and 28%, and the locations with the highest incidences services and intensive care medicine.

Conclusion: A system of classification of pressure ulcers in their different categories and the differential diagnosis with injuries humidity reduces the misclassification of UP. Different instruments of data collection does not allow us to compare results between different countries but identifies different contexts.