Report on the prevalence of XXXX in a home health agency population.

@entity4537 @entity1 @entity1066 @entity3490
OBJECTIVE: This survey was conducted to assess the presence of @entity4537 within a home health agency population in the United States. DESIGN: This voluntary survey was conducted by 177 home health agencies. A single observation of each @entity1 within the agency's active caseload formed the cohort examined. @entity1 deemed to be at low risk (Braden Scale score > 19) were eliminated from further evaluation, while those with @entity4537 were evaluated for wound- and caregiver-related factors. Surveys were conducted between @entity3490 , 1996, and December 31, 1997. SETTING: Home health agencies in 19 states throughout the United States, with no restrictions on the type or acuity of the @entity1 served. RESULTS: A total of 21,529 @entity1 were surveyed, with a prevalence of pressure @entity1066 (inclusive of all stages) of 6.8% (n = 1455). Rates for each agency ranged between 0.5% and 35.7%. The total number of @entity1066 reported was 2526 (average per @entity1 was 1.7), with 36% (n = 919) found on the sacrum and the buttocks. CONCLUSION: Pressure @entity1066 were the most frequently reported reason for admission to the agency's caseload. Survey results are similar to rates reported in other segments of the health care industry. However, among the home health care population, the primary caregiver is unlikely to be a health care professional. This survey found that the @entity1 's spouse was the primary caregiver in 30% (n = 437) of the 1450 responses received regarding the relationship of the primary caregiver to the @entity1 .
