Pressure-Induced Skin and Soft Tissue Injury in Hospitalized Elderly: Prevalence and Characteristics

Abstract

Pressure-induced skin and soft tissue injury (PU) are important factors that limit quality of life in older adults and are especially prevalent in two situations: hospitalizations and immobility. It’s caused by multiple factors, external (humidity, shearing) and internal (protein deficit, cachexia). PU development is an indicator of poor health outcome. Age and Barthel Index are two important variables involved in PU development. The increased awareness of health professionals has systematically increased risk assessment and prevention (both primary and secondary) in hospital admissions.