PROFILE OF USERS ATTENDED AT A WOUND CARE OUTPATIENT CLINIC

The objective was to characterize the profile of the patients attended at a wound care outpatient clinic. A descriptive, retrospective and quantitative study was undertaken at a wound care outpatient clinic in the interior of the state of São Paulo, in a population of 347 patient histories, between 2012 and 2014. As a result, the following characteristics were predominant: male sex (207/59.6%), age between 19 and 59 years (56%) and married (151/43.5%). It was observed that 203 (58.5%) presented some comorbidity and 103 (29.6%) some type of habit, mainly smoking and alcohol consumption. As regards the wound characteristics, 225 (64.9%) presented only one wound and 90 (26%) of the suture dehiscence type, 176 (46.2%) of the lesions were located on the upper body and the most used treatment involved hydrogels (153/21.3%). In conclusion, knowing the population profile allows the nurse to specifically plan health care, evidencing the importance of this professional in wound care.