Pressure ulcers assissment through the pressure ulcer scale for healing application (PUSH)

Abstract

Objective: To assess pressure ulcers(PU) with focus on the PUSH scale application. Methods:It is a prospective longitudinal study, performed between September and October 2010, in the three Intensive Care Units (ICUs) of a hospital in Teresina city, with sample of 19 patients and 134 PUSH applications, non-probabilist by convenience. Results: it was featured by the predominance of PU in females(52,6%), aged ≥ 80years old(36,8%) and mixed color (52,6%); the main caregivers were their grown-up children (73,7%). All patients had bladder probe, bowel incontinence and bed restriction with an average of 1,18 years(±5,18). Such limitations in 73,68% were caused by the underlying disease, being that 84,2% of them were unaware. PUs prevalence was of 61,29%, from which 63,33% were in the sacral region, stage II, being that 29,6% of them were treated with AGE oil. The EFA was the predominant coverage(29,6%).There was a decline or maintenance of the scale scores. Conclusions: The PUSH scale is useful in the wound scarring, by allowing monitoring global results and being presented as valid to integrate protocols, in order to implement the nursing care.