Pressure ulcers were found to be colonized by bacteria in 76.5% of cases, leading to bloodstream infections and increased mortality rates.
A total of 145 patients with stage II or greater PUs were included. Of these, 76.5% (111/145) had PUs colonized and/or infected with either S. aureus (20.7%), Gram-negative bacilli (32.5%), or both (46.8%) and most were MDROs (64.8%). Bacteraemia was detected in 50.5% (56/111) of the patients. The ulcers were considered to be the probable source of bacteraemia in 53.6% (30/56) of the episodes. Prior administration of antibiotics (P = 0.04) and infected wound (P < 0.001) were the variables independently associated with bloodstream infection as well as associated with a higher 30-day mortality rate; risk factors for the latter included hospitalization in ICU (P = 0.03) and mechanical ventilation use (P = 0.05).
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0195670112004033
