Survey of nutritional status in newly hospitalized patients with stage III or stage IV pressure ulcers.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the nutritional status of newly hospitalized patients with Stage III or Stage IV pressure ulcers.

DESIGN

Descriptive survey.

STUDY

PARTICIPANTS

405 newly admitted hospitalized non-ICU patients were eligible for inclusion in the study. Patients included in the study had Stage III or Stage IV pressure ulcers on their trunk, had weight indices available, and had prealbumin levels measured. One hundred and twenty patients were included in the analysis.

INTERVENTIONS AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Measurements of weight, prealbumin and albumin levels, nutritional intake, type of diet, gender, age, type of pressure ulcer, and type of residence prior to admission.

RESULTS

Analysis of the data revealed that a majority of the patients were elderly, had a Stage III sacral ulcer, were below their usual body weight, had a low prealbumin level, and were not taking in enough nutrition to meet their needs.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study suggest that a majority of newly hospitalized patients with severe pressure ulcers are malnourished and aggressive nutritional therapy may be warranted.