SCALES USED TO PREVENT PRESSURE ULCERS IN CRITICAL PATIENTS

Abstract

Critically ill patients at risk of developing pressure ulcers, represented a priority group for the study and identification of this condition. To prevent these injuries is necessary to apply specific assessment instruments. The aim of the study was to identify the national literature of the scales used to prevent pressure ulcers in critically ill patients and the role of the nurse.This is a study of integrative literature review using as a base a bibliographic research of a descriptive and exploratory qualitative character. The tracking literature review was conducted between 2004 to 2012 from the database of scientific LILACS and SciELO. All journals were available in full and in the national language. The results showed that critically ill patients are at increased risk of developing pressure ulcers is essential that preventive actions are implemented in units in which patients are susceptible to these diseases. The use of a prediction tool for the development of pressure ulcers allows to know the individual risk of each patient so that we can implement preventive nursing actions. We conclude that the Braden scale showed greater predictability and sensitivity, according to most authors in relation to Norton and Waterlow scales.