RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of a risk management program for prevention of pressure ulcers (PUs) in an adult Intensive Care Unit (ICU). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A quantitative, prospective study performed with a «before and after¼ evaluation, and designed in three stages: 1) PU incidence study; 2) Intervention by implementing a risk management program, and 3) Assessment of the impact. RESULTS: Adherence to the preventive measures showed a significant increase (11.7%) between the first month of the program and the final month (58.5%) of the assessment. Initial PU rate was 20.9, with a decrease in the rate to 14.0 per 1000 bed occupancy days (P<.05) after the risk management program. CONCLUSIONS: The data show that the risk management program, using prevention measures, was effective in reducing the rate of PU in the period under study by more than 33%.