This quantitative, descriptive exploratory study aimed at investigating the incidence of pressure ulcer in three regional hospitals of Mato Grosso, Brazil, describing the date demographics and characteristics of pressure ulcers (PU). The data were collected through the evaluation of the patient's skin and by consulting records. The sample consisted of 65 patients with psycal imobility evaluated for three consecutive months. The pressure ulcer incidence in the hospitals ranged between 25% and 66,6%. The ulcers were found mainly in the sacrococcigeal (73,7%) and heel regions (31,6%). The developmental stages of the ulcers were, mainly, stage I (44,7%) and stage II (55,3%), and PU was not detected in other stages. It was concluded that the incidence of PU in these hospitals was high, when compared to the incidence rates of other national and international studies, pointing to the need for the involvement of a multiprofessional team for the implementation of effective preventive measures.
Pressure ulcer; Incidence; Risk factors; Hospitalization
