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Fourth national pressure ulcer prevalence survey.
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1997
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HypertensionUlcer StageBlood PressureUlcer SiteClinical EpidemiologyGastroenterologyPatient SafetyPressure Ulcer PreventionPressure Ulcer CareOutcomes ResearchLower Extremity WoundSurgeryPrevalenceHealth StudiesPublic HealthMedicineEpidemiologyEmergency Medicine
The study aimed to determine the overall prevalence of pressure ulcers and compare it to previous surveys. The survey collected data from 39,874 patients across 265 acute‑care hospitals on demographics, ulcer site, stage, and support surface. The survey found a 10.1% overall prevalence of pressure ulcers, most commonly on the sacrum and heels, predominantly affecting patients aged 71–80, with 74% being superficial stages I–II, and noted that prevalence has remained relatively constant across the four surveys.
The fourth national pressure ulcer prevalence survey was conducted on November 9, 1995, with stuff at 265 acute-care hospitals surveying 39,874 patients for the presence of pressure ulcers. Data were collected on patient demographics, ulcer site, ulcer stage, and support surface. The goal was to determine the aggregate prevalence of pressure ulcers and to compare the results to those of the previous three surveys. The overall prevalence was 10.1% (range 1.4% to 36.4%), with the sacrum and heels the most common pressure ulcer sites. The predominant age group of patients with pressure ulcers was 71 to 80 years. Seventy-four percent of pressure ulcers were superficial (i.e., Stages I and II). The national pressure ulcer prevalence has remained relatively constant throughout the four surveys, despite the many changes in health care over the past 7 years.