Abstract

LIMA, Angela Cristina Beck  and  GUERRA, Diana Mendonça. Evaluation of the cost of treating pressure ulcers in hospitalized patients using industrialized dressings. Ciênc. saúde coletiva [online]. 2011, vol.16, n.1, pp. 267-277. ISSN 1413-8123.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1413-81232011000100029.

This work evaluated wound dresses used in the Neurosurgery Department of Restauração Hospital: polyurethane, hydrogel and activated carbon wound dresses and hydrogel with alginate used for pressure ulcer care. This work aimed to identify a critical factor that increases demand and cost of wound dresses. The evaluation conducted at the Neurosurgery Department identified individuals at risk of pressure ulcer development. Sixty-two patients were evaluated and the prevalence of pressure ulcer was 22.6% according to the Braden scale. Comparative evaluation between patients that didn't receive preventive measures and others that received, showed that the average daily cost of hospitalization for the first group was 45% higher than the mean for the second group. The Wilcoxon-Mann-Withiney test compared the population at risk to develop pressure ulcer and population at low risk showing that the evaluation of Braden Scale scores between the groups presents statistically significant differences and confidence limits of 95%. Pressure ulcer is a key quality indicator in health services.It is possible to reduce costs and offer higher quality public health services by implementing a training program of nursing staff using a preventive measure protocol based on a test to evaluate risk as Braden Scale.

Keywords : Pressure ulcer; Prevention; Braden Scale; Wound dress; Prevalence.