Impacto de un programa de gestión de riesgo en la tasa de úlceras por presión

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate the impact of a risk management program for prevention of pressure ulcers (PUs) in an adult Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Material and methods

A quantitative, prospective study performed with a «before and after» evaluation, and designed in three stages: 1) PU incidence study; 2) Intervention by implementing a risk management program, and 3) Assessment of the impact.

Results

Adherence to the preventive measures showed a significant increase (11.7%) between the first month of the program and the final month (58.5%) of the assessment. Initial PU rate was 20.9, with a decrease in the rate to 14.0 per 1000 bed occupancy days (P<.05) after the risk management program.

Conclusions

The data show that the risk management program, using prevention measures, was effective in reducing the rate of PU in the period under study by more than 33%.