Pressure ulcer Cat. II‐IV incidence on the CuroCell S.A.M. PRO powered reactive air support surface in a high‐risk population: A multicentre cohort study in 12 Belgian nursing homes

The primary objective was to study pressure ulcer (PU) category II‐IV (including suspected deep tissue injury and unstageable PUs) cumulative incidence and PU incidence density, in a 30day observation period, associated with the use of the CuroCell S.A.M. PRO powered reactive air support surface in nursing home residents at risk for PU development. Secondary objectives were to study (a) PU category I cumulative incidence and PU incidence density and (b) user (caregivers and residents) experiences and perceptions of comfort associated with the use of the support surface under study. A multicentre cohort study was set up in 37 care units of 12 Belgian nursing homes. The sample consisted of 191 residents at risk of PU development (Braden score ≤ 17). The cumulative PU incidence was 4.7% (n = 9). The PU incidence density was 1.7/1000 observation days (9 PU/5370 days). The experience and perceptions of comfort analysis revealed that the CuroCell S.A.M. PRO powered reactive air support surface was comfortable for daily use. The mode of action and the quietness of the pump function had a positive impact on sleep quality. Patient comfort and sleep quality are essential criteria in the selection of a support surface.     

A prediction tool for hospital‐acquired pressure ulcers among surgical patients: Surgical pressure ulcer risk score

Surgical patients are prone to developing hospital‐acquired pressure ulcers (HAPU). Therefore, a better prediction tool is needed to predict risk using preoperative data. This study aimed to determine, from previously published HAPU risk factors, which factors are significant among our surgical population and to develop a prediction tool that identifies pressure ulcer risk before the operation. A literature review was first performed to elicit all the published HAPU risk factors before conducting a retrospective case‐control study using medical records. The known HAPU risks were compared between patients with HAPU and without HAPU who underwent operations during the same period (July 2015‐December 2016). A total of 80 HAPU cases and 189 controls were analysed. Multivariate logistic regression analyses identified eight significant risk factors: age ≥ 75 years, female gender, American Society of Anaesthesiologists ≥ 3, body mass index < 23, preoperative Braden score ≤ 14, anaemia, respiratory disease, and hypertension. The model had bootstrap‐corrected c‐statistic 0.78 indicating good discrimination. A cut‐off score of ≥6 is strongly predictive, with a positive predictive value of 73.2% (confidence interval [CI]: 59.7%‐84.2%) and a negative predictive value of 80.7% (CI: 74.3%‐86.1%). SPURS contributes to the preoperative identification of pressure ulcer risk that could help nurses implement preventive measures earlier.     

Enhancing Braden pressure ulcer risk assessment in acutely ill adult veterans

This study sought to determine if a parsimonious pressure ulcer (PU) predictive model could be identified specific to acute care to enhance the current PU risk assessment tool (Braden Scale) utilized within veteran facilities. Factors investigated include: diagnosis of gangrene, anemia, diabetes, malnutrition, osteomyelitis, pneumonia/pneumonitis, septicemia, candidiasis, bacterial skin infection, device/implant/graft complications, urinary tract infection, paralysis, senility, respiratory failure, acute renal failure, cerebrovascular accident, or congestive heart failure during hospitalization; patient's age, race, smoking status, history of previous PU, surgery, hours in surgery; length of hospitalization, and intensive care unit days. Retrospective chart review and logistic regression analyses were used to examine Braden scores and other risk factors in 213 acutely ill veterans in North Florida with (n = 100) and without (n = 113) incident PU from January–July 2008. Findings indicate four medical factors (malnutrition, pneumonia/pneumonitis, candidiasis, and surgery) have stronger predictive value (sensitivity 83%, specificity 72%, area under receiver operating characteristic [ROC] curve 0.82) for predicting PUs in acutely ill veterans than Braden Scale total scores alone (sensitivity 65%, specificity 70%, area under ROC curve 0.70). In addition, accounting for four medical factors plus two Braden subscores (activity and friction) demonstrates better overall model performance (sensitivity 80%, specificity 76%, area under ROC curve 0.88).     

IPARZINE‐SKR study: randomized,double‐blind clinical trial of a new topical product versus placebo to prevent pressure ulcers

This study compared the efficacy of a new topical agent (IPARZINE‐4A‐SKR) on preventing category I pressure ulcers (PUs) over a 2‐week period, compared with a placebo. A double‐blind, randomised, multi‐centre, placebo‐controlled clinical trial in two parallel groups was conducted. The primary objective was to compare PU incidence between groups. Hospital and socio‐sanitary centre patients (n = 194) at risk of developing a PU (Braden scale) were randomised into two groups. The intervention group included 99 patients, and the placebo group comprised 95 patients. Patients were comparable in terms of age, sex and PU risk. In both groups, patients had a high risk of developing PUs. The product was applied on the sacrum, trochanters and heels. Six PUs (incidence = 6·1%) were detected in the intervention group versus seven (incidence = 7·4%) in the placebo group. Differences were not statistically significant (z = 0·08; P = 0·94), relative risk = 0·82 (95% confidence interval = 0·29–2·36). The main limitation of the study was the sample size and, therefore, the main difficulty encountered was in determining whether the product is ineffective or simply has not been used with sufficient patients. In conclusion, it is not possible to confirm that there are any differences between the studied and the placebo treatments in the prevention of PUs. The results obtained were similar to those obtained in studies of PU prevention using products based on topical fatty acids.     

Improving the quality of pressure ulcer management in a skilled nursing facility

Pressure ulcers (PUs) are a serious health care problem for nursing home residents and a key quality metric for regulators. Three initiatives were introduced at a 128‐bed facility to improve PU prevention. First, a Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement project and a Root Cause Analysis were conducted to improve the facility's wound care programme. Second, a digital wound care management solution was adopted to track wound management. Third, the role of skin integrity coordinator was created as a central point of accountability for wound care‐related activities and related performance metrics. Improvements in PU prevention were tracked using Centers of Medicare and Medicaid data, specifically (a) the percentage of long‐stay high‐risk residents with PUs and (b) the percentage of short‐stay residents with PUs that are new or have worsened. PU prevalence for long‐stay high‐risk residents was 12.99% (Q4 2016), and upon implementation of these initiatives, the facility saw continued reductions in PU prevalence to 2.9% (Q4 2017), while PUs for short‐stay residents were maintained at zero throughout this period. This study highlights the power of effective management combined with real‐time data analytics, as enabled by digital wound care management, to make significant improvements in health care delivery.     

Point prevalence of pressure ulcers in three second‐level hospitals in Mexico

Pressure ulcers (PU) are the source of multiple complications and even death. To our knowledge, there is no available data about PU prevalence in Mexico. The objective of this study was to determine the point prevalence of PU in three second‐level hospitals in Mexico. Every adult hospitalised patient was included in each hospital. Age, gender, hospitalisation ward, Braden score, and the number, location and stage of the ulcers encountered were recorded, as well as any pressure relief measures. In total, 294 patients were examined (127 were male); of these, 63 were considered to be at risk. The average age was 48·6 years. The overall prevalence of the PU was 17%. The service with the highest prevalence was the ICU. The most frequent stage was II (32%) and they were most commonly found in the sacrum (74%). The average Braden score of the patients with ulcers was 10, and 21·4% of the patients obtained moderate‐ to high‐risk Braden scores. Of them, 60·3% had ulcers and only 46% had any preventive measures. The prevalence of PU in three hospitals in Mexico is 17%. The most common stage is II and the most commonly affected site is the sacrum. Only 46% of patients with PU had at least one pressure release measure.     

Using the Braden subscales to assess risk of pressure injuries in adult patients: A retrospective case‐control study

The aim of this study was to compare the pressure injury risk predictability between the individual Braden subscales and the total Braden scale in adult inpatients in Singapore. A retrospective 1:1 case‐control design was used from a sample of 199 patient medical records. Clinical data were collected from a local university hospital's medical records database. The results showed that, among the six subscales, the activity subscale was the most sensitive and specific in predicting pressure injury (PI). However, the overall results showed that the Braden scale remained the most predictive of PI development in comparison with the individual subscales. The study also found that, among the Singaporean patients, the Braden cut‐off score for PI risk was 17 compared with the current cut‐off score of 18. Therefore, it may be relevant for local tertiary hospitals to review their respective Braden cut‐off scores as the study results indicate an over‐prediction of PI risk, which leads to unnecessary utilisation of resources. The hospital may also consider developing a PI prevention bundle comprising commonly used preventive interventions when at least one Braden subscale reflects a suboptimal score.     

Saudi Arabian adult intensive care unit pressure ulcer incidence and risk factors: a prospective cohort study

The purpose of this study was to identify pressure ulcer (PU) incidence and risk factors that are associated with PU development in patients in two adult intensive care units (ICU) in Saudi Arabia. A prospective cohort study design was used. A total of 84 participants were screened second daily basis until discharge or death, over a consecutive 30‐day period, out of which 33 participants with new PUs were identified giving a cumulative hospital‐acquired PU incidence of 39·3% (33/84 participants). The incidence of medical devices‐related PUs was 8·3% (7/84). Age, length of stay in the ICU, history of cardiovascular disease and kidney disease, infrequent repositioning, time of operation, emergency admission, mechanical ventilation and lower Braden Scale scores independently predicted the development of a PU. According to binary logistic regression analyses, age, longer stay in ICU and infrequent repositioning were significant predictors of all stages of PUs, while the length of stay in the ICU and infrequent repositioning were associated with the development of stages II–IV PUs. In conclusion, PU incidence rate was higher than that reported in other international studies. This indicates that urgent attention is required for PU prevention strategies in this setting.     

Pressure ulcer risk in hip fracture patients

Hip fracture patients have a high risk of pressure ulcers (PU). We followed 121 hip fracture patients for the development of pressure ulcers and evaluated a risk assessment tool for sensitivity and specificity. More than half of the patients presented with PU, mostly stage I. Risk factors for PU were high age and the length of time on the operating table. The risk assessment tool had a low predictive value, however. It is thus hard to predict which patients will develop PU and which will not. Accordingly, we propose maximum preventive measures against PU for all patients presenting with hip fractures.     

Pressure ulcer risk in hip fracture patients

Hip fracture patients have a high risk of pressure ulcers (PU). We followed 121 hip fracture patients for the development of pressure ulcers and evaluated a risk assessment tool for sensitivity and specificity. More than half of the patients presented with PU, mostly stage I. Risk factors for PU were high age and the length of time on the operating table. The risk assessment tool had a low predictive value, however. It is thus hard to predict which patients will develop PU and which will not. Accordingly, we propose maximum preventive measures against PU for all patients presenting with hip fractures.     

Peer-to-peer nursing rounds and hospital-acquired pressure ulcer prevalence in a surgical intensive care unit: a quality improvement project

We conducted a quality improvement project in order to evaluate the effect of nurse-to-nurse bedside "rounding" as a strategy to decrease hospital-acquired pressure ulcers (HAPU) in a surgical intensive care unit. We instituted weekly peer-to-peer bedside skin rounds in a 17-bed surgical intensive care unit. Two nurses were identified as skin champions and trained by the hospital's certified WOC nurse to conduct skin rounds. The skin champion nurses conducted weekly peer-to-peer rounds that included discussions about key elements of our patients' skin status including current Braden Scale for Pressure Sore Risk score, and implementation of specific interventions related to subscale risk assessment. If a pressure ulcer was present, the current action plan was reevaluated for effectiveness. Quarterly HAPU prevalence studies were conducted from January 2008 to December 2010. Nineteen patients experienced a HAPU: 17 were located on the coccyx and 2 on the heel. Ten ulcers were classified as stage II, 3 PU were stage IV, 5 were deemed unstageable, and 1 was classified as a deep tissue injury. The frequency of preventive interventions rose during our quality improvement project. Specifically, the use of prevention surfaces increased 92%, repositioning increased 30%, nutrition interventions increased 77%, and moisture management increased 100%. Prior to focused nursing rounds, the highest HAPU prevalence rate was 27%. After implementing focused nursing rounds, HAPU rates trended down and were 0% for 3 consecutive quarters.     

Inter‐rater reliability of three most commonly used pressure ulcer risk assessment scales in clinical practice

The objective of this study was to evaluate inter‐rater reliability of Braden Scale, Norton Scale and Waterlow Scale for pressure ulcer risk assessment in clinical practice. The design of the study was cross‐sectional. A total of 23 patients at pressure ulcer risk were included in the study, and 6 best registered nurses conducted three subsequent risk assessments for all included patients. They assessed alone and independently from each other. An intra‐class correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to determine the inter‐rater reliability. For the Braden Scale, the ICC values ranged between 0·603 (95% CI: 0·435–0·770) for the item ‘moisture’ and a maximum of 0·964 (95% CI: 0·936–0·982) for the item ‘activity’; for the Norton Scale, the ICC values ranged between 0·595 (95% CI: 0·426–0·764) for the item ‘physical condition’ and a maximum of 0·975 (95% CI: 0·955–0·988) for the item ‘activity’; and for the Waterlow Scale, the ICC values ranged between 0·592 (95% CI: 0·422–0·762) for the item ‘skin type’ and a maximum of 0·990 (95% CI: 0·982–0·995) for the item ‘activity’. The ICC values of total score for three scales of were 0·955 (95% CI: 0·922–0·978), 0·967 (95% CI: 0·943–0·984), and 0·915 (95% CI: 0·855–0·958) for Braden, Norton, and Waterlow scales, respectively. Although the inter‐rater reliability of Braden Scale, Norton Scale and Waterlow Scale total scores were all substantial, the reliability of some items was not so good. The items of ‘moisture’, ‘physical condition’ and ‘skin type’ should be paid more attention. However, some studies are needed to find out high reliable quantitative items to replace these ambiguous items in new designed scales.     

Concordance of Shape Risk Scale,a new pressure ulcer risk tool,with Braden Scale

The occurrence of pressure ulcers was examined in a cross‐sectional study in 23 health care facilities and in home care involving 548 patients. The screening of pressure ulcer risk was assessed simultaneously using the Braden Scale and the new Shape Risk Scale (SRS), and the results were compared. The overall prevalence of pressure ulcers in the study population was 15·5% (85/548). The Braden Scale was performed as described in the literature. The direct concordance of the Braden and SRS scales was 46%. In more than 90% of cases, the SRS classified patients as well as or better than the Braden Scale. The SRS allocates patients significantly different from the Braden Scale into the risk categories, especially the difference is significant between the low and medium‐risk categories. The greatest advantage of SRS to Braden Scale is that it correctly identifies patients with low risk of pressure ulcers. It is interesting that the two risk scores, taking into consideration the basically different pathophysiological factors, can still give rather similar results. The users considered that both scales are easy to use.     

Altered skin blood perfusion in areas with non blanchable erythema: an explorative study

Non blanchable erythema, i.e. stage I pressure ulcer, is common in patients in acute and geriatric care and in nursing homes. Research has shown that this type of lesions is prone to develop into more severe pressure ulcers. The peripheral skin blood perfusion is of major importance for the development of pressure ulcers. The aim of this study was to explore the peripheral skin blood perfusion over time, in areas with non blanchable erythema and in corresponding undamaged areas on the opposite side of the body. A total of 19 measurements were performed, over time, using a laser Doppler perfusion imager. The blood flow distribution profiles over areas with non blanchable erythema and undamaged skin were found to be different. As the area of the non blanchable erythema decreased, the blood perfusion distribution profiles gradually became more heterogeneous; an area of high blood perfusion in the centre of the lesions was seen and the perfusion successively decreased closer to the edge. These results indicate that there are differences in blood perfusion between skin areas of non blanchable erythema and undamaged skin. The results also indicate that the visible redness in areas with non blanchable erythema is related to altered blood perfusion. The skin blood perfusion also seems to increase in relation to the size of the non blanchable erythema.     

Length of surgery and pressure ulcers risk in cardiovascular surgical patients: a dose–response meta‐analysis

The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between length of surgery (LOS) and pressure ulcer (PU) risk in cardiovascular surgery patients. PubMed and Web of Science were systematically searched. We compared LOS difference between PU (+) group and PU (‐) group. We also examined the dose–response effect of this relationship. The mean LOS in the PU(+) groups ranged from 252·5 to 335·7 minutes, compared with 233·0 to 298·3 minutes in PU(?) groups. The LOS was higher in PU(+) groups compared with PU(?) groups [weighted mean difference (WMD) = 36·081 minutes; 95% CI: 21·640–50·522 minutes; Z = 4·90, P = 0·000]. The funnel plot showed no publication bias. A significant dose–response association was also found between the LOS and the risk of surgery‐related pressure ulcers (SRPU, model χ² = 9·29, P = 0·000). In the linear model, the PU OR was 1·296 (95% CI 1·097–1·531) for a 60‐minute increase in the LOS intervals and 13·344 (95% CI 2·521–70·636) for a 600‐minute increase. In a spline model, the OR of PU increased almost linearly along with the LOS. Our meta‐analysis indicated that LOS was an important risk factor for pressure ulcers in cardiovascular surgical patients.     

Reliability of the Bates‐Jensen wound assessment tool for pressure injury assessment: The pressure ulcer detection study

The Bates‐Jensen Wound Assessment Tool (BWAT) is used to assess wound healing in clinical practice. The purpose of this study was to evaluate BWAT use among nursing home residents with pressure injury. Findings and reliability estimates from the BWAT related to pressure injury characteristics (stage, anatomic location) and natural history (resolved, persisted) among 142 ethnically and racially diverse residents are reported. In this prospective 16‐week study, 305 pressure injuries among 142 participants (34% prevalence) are described by stage, anatomic location, and BWAT scores. Visual and subepidermal moisture assessments were obtained from sacrum, buttock, ischial, and heel ulcers weekly. Participants were 14% Asian, 28% Black, 18% Hispanic, 40% White with a mean age of 78 ± 14 years, and were 62% female; 80% functionally dependent (bed mobility extensive/total assistance) and at risk (Braden Scale score 14 ± 2.7). The reliability coefficient for BWAT score (all participants, all anatomic locations) was high (r = 0.90; p < 0.0001; n = 1,161 observations). Weighted Kappas for characteristics ranging from 0.46 (skin color surrounding wound) to 0.79 (undermining) were consistent for all participants. BWAT scores showed strongest agreement coefficients for stage 4 pressure injury (r = 0.69), pressure injuries among Asian and White ethnicity/racial groups (r = 0.89, and r = 0.91, respectively), and sacrum anatomic location (r = 0.92) indicating scores are better correlated to fair skin tones. Lower agreement coefficients were demonstrated for stage 2 pressure injury (r = 0.38) and pressure injuries among African American and Hispanic ethnicity/racial groups (r = 0.88 and 0.87, respectively). BWAT scores were significantly different by pressure injury stage (F = 496.7, df = 6, p < 0.001) and anatomic location (F = 33.76, df = 8, p < 0.001). BWAT score correlated with pressure injury natural history (ulcer resolved 18.4 ± 7.4, ulcer persisted 24.9 ± 10.0; F = 70.11, df = 2, p < 0.001), but not with comorbidities. The BWAT provides reliable, objective data for assessing pressure injury healing progress.     

Comparison of generic and disease‐specific measures in their ability to detect differences in pressure ulcer clinical groups

Patient‐reported outcomes can be included as end points in pressure ulcer (PU) intervention trials to provide information to inform decision‐making and improve the lives of patients. However, the challenge for researchers and clinicians is identifying and choosing an appropriate instrument for each particular application that suits their research questions and clinical context. To provide researchers and clinicians with the information needed to inform choice of patient‐reported outcome measures, we compared a generic and disease‐specific measures’ ability to discriminate between clinical groups known to differ, and determined their responsiveness to change. We performed analyses on a subset of patients recruited to the PRESSURE 2 trial that completed the pressure ulcer quality of life instrument—prevention version (PU‐QOL‐P) and Short Form 12 Questionnaire (SF12) measures at baseline and 30‐day posttreatment. Known‐group validity and responsiveness‐to‐change analyses were conducted. The analysis sample consisted of 617 patients that completed both measures at baseline. Known‐group validity revealed that some PU‐QOL‐P symptoms and function scales differentiated between people with category 2 PUs and those without PUs. A less meaningful pattern of results was observed for the SF12 scales, suggesting that the PU‐QOL‐P is more sensitive to differences between PU and non‐PU populations. Responsiveness analysis revealed that the PU‐QOL‐P was more responsive in detecting disease severity than the SF12. The PU‐QOL‐P provides a standardized method for assessing PU‐specific symptoms and functioning outcomes and is suitable for quantifying the benefits of PU interventions from the patient's perspective. Generic measures are useful for group comparisons of global quality of life domains. Choice of measure for each particular application should be determined by the purpose of the measurement and the information required.