Factors Affecting Pressure Ulcer among Inpatients in Long Term Care Facilities: Adults with Cognitive Impairment

Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify factors affecting pressure ulcers among cognitive impairment inpatients with long term care facilities. Methods: In this secondary data analysis of the two long-term care facilities, 162 patients with mild or more cognitive impairment were analyzed. Patients with a pressure ulcer of stage 2 or higher that developed after the first day of hospitalization were defined as the pressure ulcer group, while the other patients comprised the non-pressure ulcer group. Demographic characteristics were compared between the two groups. Initially, a univariate analysis was conducted. Subsequently, risk factors were identified through logistic regression analysis using the variables that exhibited statistically significant differences in the univariate analysis. Results: Thirty-three patients had hospital-acquired pressure ulcers. Age (odds ratio [OR]=0.92, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.87~0.98), albumin levels (OR=0.25, 95% CI=0.08~0.77), Charlson comorbidity index (OR=1.57, 95% CI=1.14~2.18), and Mini-Mental State Examination for Koreans score (OR=0.90, 95% CI=0.81~0.99) were identified as risk factors for pressure ulcer occurrence. Conclusion: Our data analysis supports independent associations between certain clinical characteristics and pressure ulcer occurrence in long-term care facility patients with cognitive impairment. To reduce the risk of pressure ulcers in long-term care facilities, health professionals should implement appropriate prevention measures.