Evaluation of mortality rate and length of hospitalization for elderly people with pressure ulcers

Background: Pressure ulcers are a serious, common but preventable health problem and is a defined quality of care indicator for organizations providing health services. Pressure ulcers have negative consequences for patients and medical systems. The purpose of this study was to determine the mortality rate and length of hospitalization in elderly patients with pressure ulcers.Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on132 elderly patients with pressure ulcers acquired from Razi Hospital in Rasht during 1398 with simple sampling method. Inclusion criteria were: patient65 years old, at least two days hospital stay and hospital-acquired pressure ulcer. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics such as one-way analysis of variance and chi-square and by statistical software SPSS version 18. Results: The findings showed that 15.2% of the elderly with acquired pressure ulcers from the hospital had died. There was statistically significant relationship between mortality and intensive care department p> 0/001 , degree of pressure ulcer p> 0/001 and neurological problems p = 0/45 . The mean length of hospitalization was 6.8 days with a range of 2-60 days. Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that more neurologic diseases in intensive care department and high grade of wounds pressure is one of the factors contributing to the increase in mortality and length of hospitalization in elderly patients with pressure ulcers obtained from the hospital.

Keywords:

Aging , Pressure ulcer , Mortality , Hospitalization