PREVALENCE & INCIDENCE

It is useful to remember the difference between incidence and prevalence.
Prevalence is a numerical perception of cases of a disease that are present in a particular population at a given time.
Incidence refers to the number of new cases that develop in a given period of time. (Medicine.net 2019)
Pressure ulcers/ injury continue to be a concern. Public Health England (2015) noted that older people are the most likely group to have pressure ulcers; this is especially true for those older than 70. However it is important to emphasise that age alone is not a risk factor. Pressure ulcers/ injury can affect patients in every healthcare setting and are seen in all age groups. The impact a pressure ulcer/ injury can have on a patient should not be underestimated.