Selection criteria for primary dressings in the treatment of pressure ulcers in hospitalized patients

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the criteria for choosing primary dressings prescribed by nurses for the treatment of pressure ulcer in hospitalized patients. Method: cross-sectional and descriptive study with quantitative approach conducted in a private hospital in Jaboatão dos Guararapes-Pernambuco, Brazil, between February and April 2019. The sample included 345 medical records of patients with pressure ulcer, admitted from January to December 2018. An instrument was used to collect sociodemographic data, descriptive analyses were performed and Chi-square test with 95% confidence level (p<0.05). Results: there was a significant relationship between the choice of dressings and lesion characteristics. However, 64 (18.5%) patients in the sample had adequate records and 10 (3%) had disagreement with scientific evidence. Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of implementing protocols that ratify the criteria for choice of dressings for the treatment of pressure ulcers in hospital services.