ABSTRACT
Objective:
to investigate the incidence of pressure injury in cancer patients of an intensive care unit.
Method:
A longitudinal study with 105 patients admitted to an oncological intensive care unit. The incidence rate was calculated as the number of events per 100 patient-days. Cumulative incidence was calculated both globally and according to selected characteristics, and submitted to hypothesis tests.
Results:
incidence rate per 100 patient-days was 1.32, and global cumulative incidence was 29.5%. A higher incidence was observed in patients with chronic diseases who had at least one episode of diarrhea, received enteral nutrition, and took vasoactive or sedative drugs for a prolonged period of time. Regarding type of tumour and antineoplastic treatments, no differences in incidence were observed.
Conclusion:
A high cumulative global incidence of pressure lesion was reported in cancer patients admitted to the intensive care unit, although tumour characteristics and antineoplastic treatments did not affect incidence.
Descriptors:
Pressure Ulcer; Neoplasms; Intensive Care Units; Cancer Care Facilities; Critical Care Nursing