Elevated sacral skin temperature (T(s)): a risk factor for pressure ulcer development in hospitalized neurologically impaired Thai patients.

摘要

Pressure ulcer incidence and sacral skin temperature (T(s)) were measured in hospitalized neurologically impaired Thai patients ( n = 17) positioned supine and then laterally. Pressure ulcer incidence within 2 weeks of admission was 47%. Regardless of reclining position, mean sacral T(s) in subjects who developed a pressure ulcer was higher ( p < .01) than those who did not develop an ulcer. The data suggest that T(s) may increase at least 1.2 degrees C 24-96 hr before sacral pressure ulcer development. Sacral T(s) may be an objective predictor of sacral pressure ulcer development in hospitalized neurologically impaired Thai patients.