O impacto económico da prevenção de úlceras de pressão num hospital universitário

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: Pressure ulcers are an avoidable condition that results in a decrease in the health related quality of life of the client. At the same time, they represent an increase in costs for health services associated with an increase in length of hospital stay. Research in this area is fundamental to justify prevention as a measure of sustainability and improvement of health care. The study aims to estimate the individual effect of the different categories of pressure ulcers on the increase of hospitalization time and the health gains derived from autonomous and independent interventions of nurses in the field of PU prevention. Methods: The determination of the incremental impact of the different UP categories in the length of stay is obtained by using an econometric model designed for this purpose. Health gains are determined using the equation recommended by the professional order of nurses (OE). Re- sults: The incremental impact of the different categories of PU on hospital admission is in ascending order of clinical severity of PU of 1.05 days; 1.64 days; 3.53 days and 10.29 days. It is estimated that an increase of 2977.61 days of hospitalization was prevented, as a result of the prevention of pressure ulcers. Conclusion: It is possible to increase the health gains and contribute in reducing the impact of PUs in hospital admission to the clinically indispensable by maximizing the diagnostic effectiveness. Recebido