ABSTRACT
[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 ob-served 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 au-tolytic 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 .