Risk Profile Characteristics Associated With Outcomes of Hospital-Acquired Pressure Ulcers: A Retrospective Review

BACKGROUND Hospital-acquired pressure ulcers are a common problem. Although a number of risk factors have been identified, relationships among risk profile characteristics and pressure ulcer outcomes have not been described in hospitalized patients. OBJECTIVES To describe patients' characteristics and risk factors associated with pressure ulcer outcome. METHODS A retrospective chart review was used to collect data on 87 patients in whom hospital-acquired pressure ulcers developed from May 2007 to November 2008. All pressure ulcers were staged by a certified wound nurse. Relationships among risk profile characteristics and pressure ulcer outcomes were determined via bivariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS High severity of illness was present in patients with hospital-acquired pressure ulcers; 89% were intensive care patients. Vasopressor infusion, spinal cord injury, and age 40 or greater conferred risk for nonhealing pressure ulcers. Among pressure ulcer stages, suspected deep tissue injury ulcers were less likely to heal. CONCLUSIONS Identification of characteristics and risk factors associated with development of nonhealing hospital-acquired pressure ulcers will allow nurses to recognize patients at risk for nonhealing and to take aggressive preventative measures. (Critical Care Nurse. 2011; 31[4]:30-43)