A recent study in the International Wound Journal has revealed that Swedish hospitals have a higher prevalence of pressure ulcers than the average prevalence in large US studies, calling for a revision in Swedish pressure ulcer prevention protocol.

The total pressure ulcer prevalence in two county councils in Sweden was 14.9%, of which 80% were specifically hospital-acquired pressure ulcers (HAPU). It was found that 60% of patients were not given a pressure ulcer risk assessment before hospital admission and pressure ulcer care planning was only documented in 20% of patients.

The study found that clinical judgement is used more often than data-driven intervention in these cases, however when registered nurses (RNs) were in charge of prevention, pressure ulcer prevalence was reduced in full.

The study recommends that RNs should ensure their teams are assessing, documenting and taking pride in reducing the occurrence of HAPUs. Clinical nurse specialists could also be brought onto hospital teams for further guidance. Finally, funding for prevention methods and on-going research should be provided to reduce pressure ulcer risk.

To see the study, click here.

Image: Hospital. Credit: Hyunseok Michael Knight on Flickr.