TRATAMENTO DE LESÕES POR PRESSÃO EM UNIDADE DE TERAPIA INTENSIVA: PRÁTICAS ADOTADAS POR ENFERMEIROS

Abstract

Introduction: Pressure injury (PI) is a highly prevalent condition in intensive care units (ICUs) and is considered a preventable adverse event as well as an indicator of care quality. In this context, the nurse’s role is essential in planning and implementing therapeutic measures based on scientific evidence that promote PI healing and patient recovery. Objective: To describe the practices adopted by ICU nurses in the treatment of pressure injuries. Method: A cross-sectional, descriptive study with a quantitative approach. Data were collected in an adult ICU of a large university hospital in the Midwest region of Brazil during December 2024. The population consisted of all nurses working in the investigated ICU. Data were organized in a Microsoft Excel® spreadsheet and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: The sample consisted of 22 nurses, predominantly female and specialized professionals, with a mean age of 41 years and 16 years of experience. High adherence was observed to basic measures such as assessment, classification, and cleaning of PIs, as well as patient repositioning, but lower adherence to more complex procedures such as multidisciplinary discussions, topical antimicrobial use, and conservative debridement. Conclusions: The study identified high adherence among intensive care nurses to the practices recommended in guidelines for the treatment of pressure injuries.