Pressure ulcer scale for healing applied in evaluating debridement effect on pressure ulcers

Objective To explore the value of the Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing (PUSH) tool in evaluating the effect of debridement on pressure ulcers in elder patients. Methods A group of 60 patients with (82 sites) Ⅱ-IV grade pressure ulcers were recruited in the study. The ulcers were randomly assigned into autolytic debridement group(n=42) and combined debridement group(n=40).Two groups of wounds were assessed and debrided by consensus procedure porcess respectively.The wounds were observed and evaluated by trained nurses at 7,14,21days after debredement, and the results used in PUSH scoring were recorded and subjected to statistical analysis with the SPSS 11.0 software. Results The value of pressure ulcer scale for healing (PUSH) for autolytic、combined debridement group, at 7days(P>0.05) were not significantly different, at 14 days(P<0.05),and at 21days (P<0.01) were significantly different. With wounds in combined debridement group, PUSH scores decreased faster than those in the autolytic debridement group. Conclusion The combined debridement method used in elder patients is safe and effective, which can shorten debridement time and improve wounds healing as well. The Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing is easy to use and its result is reliable, giving a quantitative objective evaluation of debridement effect on pressure ulcers.