Iran Journal of Nursing

  Background and Aim: Despite of developments in healthcare systems and ongoing investments to prevent pressure ulcers, it still remains as a major problem particularly in critical care units . This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the level of oxygenation and hemodynamic status in the occurrence of pressure ulcer in mechanically ventilated patients.

  Material& Methods: It was a correlational and longitudinal study. The study population included 120 mechanically ventilated patients admitted to critical care units of one of the hospitals affiliated to Tehran U niversity of Medical Sciences in Tehran-Iran. The subjects were selected through consecutive sampling method from February 2012 to August 2012. Hemodynamic and oxygenation data were collected using the patients’ records and observation sheets. Patients’ skin was daily assessed for developing pressure ulcers. Pressure sore risk factors were assessed by Braden Scale. Collected data were imported into SPSS-PC (v.17) and analyzed using independent t-test, chi-square and logistic regression.

  Results: pressure ulcers of stage I were developed in 35.8% of the subjects. There was no significant linear correlation between hemodynamic and oxygenation variables and the development of pressure ulcers. However there was a significant relationship between the development of pressure ulcers and the duration of mechanical ventilation, patients’ age and the level of consciousness ( P<0.001) .

  Conclusions: Patients under mechanical ventilation have more chance for developing pressure ulcers and nurses should apply preventing masseurs as soon as possible for such patients. Investigating the role of other variables in the development of pressure ulcers in these patients is recommended.

  Received: 14 Apr 2013

  Accepted: 6 Jun 2013