[Pressure sores: evaluation of the systematic use of special surfaces for managing pressure sores in the intensive care unit of the Tarrasa Hospital, Spain].

Pressure sores are a major challenge for healthcare systems. Patients admitted to intensive care units are an important risk group for pressure sores. Systematic use of a protocol employing special surfaces to manage pressure is a basic measure for preventing pressure sores in institutionalized patients. In a study carried out in the Intensive Care Unit of the Hospital of Terrassa (Spain), the incidence of pressure sores before and after introducing a prevention protocol that included the systematic use of special surfaces to manage pressure was compared. The incidence of pressure sores in patients admitted in 1998 and 1999 was studied. Sore locations were recorded. The results of three periods were examined: before introducing the protocol (6.4% incidence), after introducing a protocol (1.1%), and after use of the protocol was consolidated (0%). The results of the study suggest that the systematic use of special surfaces to manage pressure, in accordance with a prevention protocol, is a basic measure for reducing the incidence of pressure sores in patients admitted to intensive care units.