Hospital-acquired pressure ulcers in spinal cord injured patients:time to occur, time until closure and risk factors

Study design: Prospective observational cohort study. Objectives: To describe time to occur and time until closure of hospital-acquired pressure ulcers (HAPUs) in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). Setting: Specialised SCI acute care and rehabilitation clinic in Switzerland. Methods: Daily registration of the presence and severity of HAPUs in a consecutive sample of SCI patients during their entire in-patient stay. Results: Out of 185 observed SCI patients, 55 patients (29.7%) developed at least one HAPU. Within the first 30 days after admission, 50% of all HAPUs occurred. Less severe HAPUs occurred earlier than severe HAPUs. The occurrence of HAPUs was significantly associated with reason of admission (P Conclusion: The dynamics of HAPUs varied according to admission reason and time since lesion. However, ongoing awareness to prevent HAPUs is needed in all patients with SCI