Aim: Pressure ulcers are still major health problems in intensive care units. Stroke patients are among the most vulnerable group who might be impacted by pressure ulcers. The aim of this study is to determine pressure ulcers prevelance in stroke patients hospitalized in an intensive care unit.
Methods: The sample was consisted of stroke patients hospitalized in an intensive care unit of a university hospital between January-December 2015. Data regarding pressure ulcers were retrieved from patient files retrospectively and data from 78 patient files were obtained.  
Results: The mean age of patients 66.58(±15.0) and average length of hospital stay was 20.7(±18.7) days. 70.5% of the patients had a concomitant disease (hypertension, diabetes or both) that can contribute to the formation of pressure ulcers. Braden risk scores were 14.6(±3.6), and 82.1% of the patients were at risk according to the scale. The prevelance of pressure ulcers was found to be 17.9% (n=14), but it was determined that pressure ulcers were already present in four patients (5.1%) prior to their stay in neurology intensive care. Therefore prevelance of pressure ulcers which developed in neurology intensive care unit was specified as 12.8% (n=10). Pressure ulcers occured mostly in sacral area, and they were mostly stage 1 ulcers. 
Conclusion: Stroke patients in intensive care unit should be assessed and monitored carefully from admission to discharge.

FREQUENCY OF PRESSURE ULCERS IN A STROKE UNIT: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY