[Evaluation of sacral pressure ulcers of older long-term hospital patients for five or fewer years].

Aim: This study aimed to examine the statuses of sacral pressure ulcer and treatment strategies for 135 elderly patients who were long-term hospital patients.

Methods: Patients with sacral pressure ulcers were divided into two groups, the cured or non-cured, and the discharged or deceased.The mean age, length of hospital stay, diagnosis, bedridden degree, nutritional status pre and post ulcer development, nutritional administration method, presence on admission or development, depth on National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel and treatment duration were examined.The serum albumin levels, lymphocyte counts and hemoglobin levels were calculated, and malnutrition levels were categorized into normal, mild, moderate or severe according to the Controlling Nutritional Status variant scores.

Results: The mean age of men (n=62) and women (n=73) was 80.8±4.9 and 86.2±1.2 years, and the mean length of hospital-stay was 25.1±9.6 and 27.3±4.9 months, respectively, indicating a significant difference.The diagnoses did not vary significantly between the cured (n=43) or non-cured (n=92) patients, or in those discharged (n=53) or deceased (n=82) patients.Comparison of the groups revealed that pressure ulcers were difficult to heal in patients with advanced age, those brought to hospital, bedridden degree C2 (unable to turn over), depth level III, moderate to severe malnutrition and those whose Gr did not improve.The effectiveness of gastrostomy management and the ineffectiveness of central venous nutrition were determined.

Conclusions: Bedridden degree C2, depth level III, presence on admission, malnutrition on admission and no improvement were the factors for interruption of the healing.