Local treatment of pressure ulcers in long-term care: a correlational cross-sectional study

Objective: To analyse the treatment of pressure ulcers (PU) in long-term care. Method: In this correlational cross-sectional study, data was collected between November 2015 and January 2016 from older people with PUs in private and public long-term care facilities in Finland. Data collection was conducted by trained nurses using the Pressure Ulcer Patient Instrument (PUP-Ins). Outcomes measured were: prevalence and localisation of PU, local PU treatment, frequency (how often/week/day) and duration (minutes/week or day) of PU treatment. Results: In total, 112 patients with 158 PUs were identified (a prevalence rate of 5%). PUs were located most often on the heel (38%), hip (13%), buttocks (10%) and lateral malleolus (9.5%). The most frequently used PU treatment was skin protecting agents and local wound care products. The most typical treatment in category I, II and III PUs were foam dressings. In category III PUs, ribbon gauze dressings were also used. The most typical products for category IV PUs were complex dressings. Category I PUs received more treatment per day or week than other categories of PUs. Conclusion: PU treatment is inconsistent and often conducted with varying methods and products. Holistic patient care must be the focus. Nurses in long-term care settings might benefit from in-depth in-service education focusing on the treatment of PUs. More research is needed about nurses' competence in PU treatment.