Our facility tracks facility-acquired pressure ulcers, but I would also like to report pressure ulcer prevalence among the residents. I am not clear about the terms, definitions or correct process to calculate prevalence of pressure ulcers.
The National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel website, www.npuap.org, defines two approaches to conducting a Pressure Ulcer Prevalence study: * Point Prevalence describes the number of people within the defined population with a pressure ulcer at a specific time determined prior to undertaking the survey. This is a “snapshot” in time related to the facility census on a particular day. This is calculated as follows:
Point Prevalence = the number of people with a pressure ulcer multiplied by 100, divided by the number of persons in a population at a particular point in time.
* Period Prevalence is measured over a time period that is defined prior to gathering data. Many clinicians use “the average length of stay.” This is calculated as follows:
Period Prevalence = the number of people with a pressure ulcer multiplied by 100, divided by the number of persons in a population during a particular time period.
Guidance from the NPUAP suggests the following steps when analyzing both Point and Period Prevalence:
1) First decide if you are interested in doing a prevalence study for one date or over a specified period of time.
2) Define the group to be included in the study.
This should help you track your pressure ulcer prevalence in your facility.
From the May 01, 2013 Issue of McKnight's Long-Term Care News
