PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTOR ASSESSMENTS OF PRESSURE ULCERS AMONG MEDICAL IN-PATIENTS IN RIPAS HOSPITAL.

Kula M, Teo SP

Geriatrics and Palliative Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: A previous audit in 2011 identified a low prevalence of pressure ulcers (1.6%) among medical inpatients in Brunei Darussalam. As there were recent concerns that the prevalence of pressure ulcers in medical wards in RIPAS Hospital may be higher than previously reported, a repeat audit to identify the current prevalence rate of pressure ulcers was conducted. METHODS: This was a prospective audit of pressure ulcer prevalence among inpatients in all medical wards in RIPAS Hospital over a 1-week period. RESULTS: Out of 363 inpatient encounters during the audit week, only 142 patients have completed Pressure ulcer assessment forms, giving a response rate of only 39.1%. The median age was 57 years (Range 14 to 92 years), of which 54% were male. Twenty-nine patients (20.4%) had pressure ulcers, which was a 13 times increased in prevalence compared to the audit from 2011. The most common sites for pressure ulcers were buttock, sacrum and heel. There was an increasing trend observed with increasing age and Braden risk scores. CONCLUSION: There was a huge increase in pressure ulcer prevalence in RIPAS Hospital from 2010 to 2015. The high prevalence of pressure ulcers should trigger action to improve risk assessment, preventive interventions and management of pressure ulcers.

Key Words: Braden Scale, Inpatients, Pressure Ulcer, Prevalence, Risk Assessment.

Correspondence: Dr Shyh Poh TEO, Consultant Geriatrician and Physician, Geriatrics and Palliative Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital, Jalan Putera Al-Muhtadee Billah, Bandar Seri Begawan BE1518, Brunei Darussalam.

Phone: +673 2242424; Email: shyhpoh.teo@moh.gov.bn

Brunei Int Med J. 2018;14:151-156