Living with multiple losses: Insights from patients living with pressure injury

The effect of pressure injury prevention care bundles on pressure injuries in hospital patients: A complex intervention systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Numerous interventions for pressure injury prevention have been developed, including care bundles.

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review the effectiveness of pressure injury prevention care bundles on pressure injury prevalence, incidence, and hospital-acquired pressure injury rate in hospitalised patients.

DATA SOURCES

The Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (via PubMed), the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, EMBASE, Scopus, the Cochrane Library and two registries were searched (from 2009 to September 2023).

STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials and non-randomised studies with a comparison group published in English after 2008 were included. Studies reporting on the frequency of pressure injuries where the number of patients was not the numerator or denominator, or where the denominator was not reported, and single subgroups of hospitalised patients were excluded. Educational programmes targeting healthcare professionals and bundles targeting specific types of pressure injuries were excluded.

PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS

Bundles with ≥3 components directed towards patients and implemented in ≥2 hospital services were included.

STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS

Screening, data extraction and risk of bias assessments were undertaken independently by two researchers. Random effects meta-analyses were conducted. The certainty of the body of evidence was assessed using Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation.

RESULTS

Nine studies (seven non-randomised with historical controls; two randomised) conducted in eight countries were included. There were four to eight bundle components; most were core, and only a few were discretionary. Various strategies were used prior to (six studies), during (five studies) and after (two studies) implementation to embed the bundles. The pooled risk ratio for pressure injury prevalence (five non-randomised studies) was 0.55 (95 % confidence intervals 0.29-1.03), and for hospital-acquired pressure injury rate (five non-randomised studies) it was 0.31 (95 % confidence intervals 0.12-0.83). All non-randomised studies were at high risk of bias, with very low certainty of evidence. In the two randomised studies, the care bundles had non-significant effects on hospital-acquired pressure injury incidence density, but data could not be pooled.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS OF KEY FINDINGS

Whilst some studies showed decreases in pressure injuries, this evidence was very low certainty. The potential benefits of adding emerging evidence-based components to bundles should be considered. Future effectiveness studies should include contemporaneous controls and the development of a comprehensive, theory and evidence-informed implementation plan.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION NUMBER

PROSPERO CRD42023423058.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

Pressure injury prevention care bundles decrease hospital-acquired pressure injuries, but the certainty of this evidence is very low.

Psychometric properties of the Braden scale to assess pressure injury risk in intensive care: A systematic review

OBJECTIVE

To analyse the psychometric properties of the Braden scale to assess pressure injury risk in adults in intensive care.

DESIGN

A systematic review was conducted, with literature searches undertaken in five electronic databases. No date limits were applied. Selection, data extraction and risk of bias assessment were completed by two reviewers independently. A customised data extraction template was used, with risk of bias conducted using the COSMIN Risk of Bias checklist. Data were analysed using narrative synthesis.

RESULTS

Thirty-four studies met inclusion criteria. Two studies reported internal consistency with Cronbach's alpha ranging from poor (0.43) to good (0.85). For interrater reliability, only four studies reported intraclass correlation, ranging from 0.66 to 0.96 for Braden sum score. Three studies reported convergent validity, with strong associations found between the COMHON Index (r = 0.70), Cubbin-Jackson scale (r = 0.80), and Norton scale (r = 0.77), but contrasting associations with the Waterlow score (r = 0.22 to 0.72). A large majority of studies reported predictive validity (n = 29), with wide variability. Several studies investigated optimal cut-off scores, with the majority indicating this was in the range of 12-14.

CONCLUSIONS

This review demonstrates inconsistency in the psychometric properties of the Braden scale in ICU settings. Further research is needed to determine suitability of the Braden scale for ICU before it can be recommended as standard for clinical practice, including comparison with other ICU-specific risk assessment tools.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE

When used in ICU, the reliability, validity and reported cut-off scores of the Braden scale are variable. As a predictive tool, the scale should be used cautiously. In ICU, the value of the Braden scale resides in its ability to identify patients that are most at risk of developing a pressure injury and to implement preventative measures to mitigate identified risk factors.

Barriers and facilitators to pressure ulcer prevention behaviours by older people living in their own homes and their lay carers: a qualitative study

OBJECTIVE

To identify barriers and facilitators to pressure ulcer prevention behaviours in community-dwelling older people and their lay carers.

DESIGN

Theoretically informed qualitative interviews with two-phase, deductive then inductive, thematic analysis.

SETTING

The study was conducted in one geographical region in the UK, spanning several community National Health Service Trusts.

PARTICIPANTS

Community-dwelling older patients at risk of pressure ulcer development (n=10) and their lay carers (n=10).

RESULTS

Six themes and subthemes were identified: (1) knowledge and beliefs about consequences (nature, source, timing and taboo); (2) social and professional role and influences (who does what, conflicting advice and disagreements); (3) motivation and priorities (competing self-care needs and carer physical ability); (4) memory; (5) emotion (carer exhaustion and isolation, carergiver role conflict and patient feelings) and (6) environment (human resource shortage and equipment).

CONCLUSIONS

There is minimal research in pressure ulcer prevention in community-dwelling older people. This study has robustly applied the theoretical domains framework to understanding barriers and facilitators to pressure ulcer prevention behaviours. Our findings will support co-design of strategies to promote preventative behaviours and are likely to be transferable to comparable healthcare systems nationally and internationally.

A narrative review of patients' lived experience of having a pressure injury

AIM

To explore patients' experiences of living with pressure injuries.

DESIGN

A qualitative narrative review and thematic synthesis of qualitative research studies.

DATA SOURCES

Six electronic databases were searched: Medline, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and Google Scholar (for grey literature). The search was conducted between October 2022 and April 2023. Setting: Acute, community and care home settings across the UK, France, Belgium and the US.

REVIEW METHODS

The PRISMA checklist for reporting systematic reviews was used. The included studies were evaluated for quality using the CASP tool. The Joanna Briggs Institute data extraction tool was used to extract data from the included studies. Thematic synthesis was used to identify themes to present a coherent and nuanced understanding of patients' experiences of living with pressure injuries.

RESULTS

Nine studies involving 244 participants, aged 21 to 101, with pressure injuries, met the inclusion criteria. Three key themes emerged using thematic analysis: physiological, emotional and psychological, and social effects. Within these themes, subthemes such as endless pain and discomfort, loss of mobility and independence, and social isolation were dominant in all aspects of the lives of patients living with pressure injuries.

CONCLUSIONS

This narrative review gives clear and multifaceted insight into the impact of pressure injuries on individuals' lives, emphasising the necessity for patient-centred care and the integration of evidence-based tools for effective pain management and risk assessment. The impact of pain on emotional and psychological wellbeing was significant, and the financial implications are scarcely known. Future research is needed to explore the experiences of younger adults and the financial consequences of living with pressure injuries.

Pressure injury prevalence in critical care settings: An observational pre-post intervention study

AIM

To explore pressure injury prevention practices and evaluate the impact of an educational intervention on PI prevalence before and after an educational intervention.

DESIGN

A multi-centre observational study.

METHOD

Data were collected at two time points in May 2021 and April 2022 using a Qualtrics® online form. Two Registered Nurses at each site collected observational data at each time point by diagnosing and staging any identified pressure injuries as part of a prevalence study. Patients admitted to participating units were included.

RESULTS

A total of 181 patients in critical care units were included at the two-time points. Pressure injury prevalence was 60.9% at the outset, with 52.9% hospital-acquired, 37.9% unit-acquired and 23.0% medical device-related. Post-intervention prevalence decreased significantly to 28.7%, including 21.3% hospital-acquired, 14.9% unit-acquired, and 8.5% medical device-related. Pressure injuries were prominent in the sacral region, head area, and heels. Stages I and II pressure injuries were the most common. Increased age and longer ICU stays are linked to a heightened risk of pressure injury development in critically ill patients, whereas higher haemoglobin levels show an inverse relationship with the development of both pressure injury and severe stages in the univariate analysis. The predictive models revealed that increased age and longer ICU stays are predictors for both pressure injury development and progression to severe stages, while Braden scores predict the likelihood of developing severe stages of pressure injuries.

CONCLUSIONS

This study has identified a benchmark for pressure injury prevalence in critical care units in Saudi Arabia. The results demonstrate that pressure injuries can be prevented in critically ill patients when evidence-based education strategies are implemented.

PATIENT CARE IMPACT

Pressure injuries are an important issue for critically ill patients and can be prevented with proper investments. Strategies to prevent pressure injuries from admission will result in fewer pressure injuries.

REPORTING METHOD

Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines and the Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TIDieR) checklist.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

No patient or public contribution.

Operating room nurse's awareness and implementation status of the prevention of patient's intraoperative acquired pressure injuries: design and validation of a questionnaire

Aim

To compile the awareness and implementation status of patients with intraoperative acquired pressure injuries prevention by operating room nurses and to test its reliability and validity.

Design

This is an equipment development research based on recommendations for developing a reliable and valid questionnaire.

Methods

The research was carried out in two phases from February to November 2022. Through a panel discussion, expert consultation, and literature review, the questionnaire for operating room nurses on the current status of awareness and implementation of the prevention of intraoperative acquired pressure injuries was preliminarily formulated. The formal questionnaire was developed through validity analysis, reliability analysis and item analysis, and reliability and validity tests were conducted. Moreover, according to the questionnaire survey results, confirmatory factor analysis was carried out to construct the structural equation model.

Results

The initial questionnaire consisted of five dimensions with 48 items, which was finalized to five dimensions with 38 items after reliability and validity testing and analysis. The five dimensions included implementation of intraoperative acquired pressure injuries prevention, intraoperative acquired pressure injuries preventing cognitive conditions, preoperative intraoperative acquired pressure injuries preventing cognitive conditions, basic knowledge of pressure injuries, and implementation of intraoperative acquired pressure injuries prevention in special patients. Cronbach's α of the overall questionnaire was 0.969 while that of each dimension was 0.846-0.959. The KMO value of structural validity was 0.945 (P < 0.001), and the contribution rate of cumulative variance was 70.694%. The fitting of confirmatory factor analysis was found to be generally ideal: χ2/df = 2.382, RMR = 0.027, TLI = 0.894, RMSEA = 0.072, IFI = 0.905, CFI = 0.904.

Conclusions

The study and design of the questionnaire for operating room nurses on the current status of awareness and implementation of the prevention of intraoperative acquired pressure injuries are scientific and rational, providing a scientific basis for the standardized reform of hospitals and the optimization of the intraoperative acquired pressure injuries management system of the operating room.

How does a chronic wound change a patient's social life? A European survey on social support and social participation

Chronic wounds can severely limit patient's social life. This cross-sectional study investigated quantitatively social support of patients with chronic wounds, its association with health-related quality of life as well as qualitatively changes in social participation of these patients. Overall, 263 patients from seven countries participated. The most frequent wound class was leg ulcer (49.2%). Results revealed generally high levels of social support (mean global score: 5.5) as measured with the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. However, individuals differed considerably (range 1.0-7.0). All dimensions of social support differed by patients' family and living situations (p < 0.001 to p = 0.040) and were positively correlated with generic health-related quality of life (r = 0.136-0.172). Having children, living with others and being in a relationship were significant predictors of having higher global social support. Patients reported great support from family members. Many participants reported no changes in relationships with friends. Wound care managers took an important role and provided additional emotional support. Patients reported a range of discontinued activities. Despite the high overall level of social support, inter-individual differences should be acknowledged. The importance of family carers should be acknowledged to be able to reduce caregiver burden and to ensure high-qualitative wound care.

Patient perceptions and understanding of pressure ulcer risk in the community: Empirical Research Qualitative

AIMS

To explore patient perceptions and understanding of their pressure ulcer risk and how information is communicated between a nurse and patient in the home setting.

DESIGN

A pragmatic qualitative research design including community-dwelling patients, who were deemed at risk of developing a pressure ulcer.

METHODS

Observation of routine interactions between nurse and patient regarding their pressure ulcer risk and semi-structured interviews with 15 community patients following the nursing interaction.

RESULTS

Four key overarching themes emerged from the data analysis that were related to patient perceptions and understanding of pressure ulcer risk. These included Pressure Ulcer Awareness, Importance of Repositioning, Healthy Eating and Risk Interpretation.

CONCLUSION

Patient perception and understanding of pressure ulcer risk is different from the scientific, professional view. Patient risk perception was based on heuristics and wider personal factors and social influences.

IMPACT

The study provides important new insights into clinical practice in relation to how pressure ulcer advice and information are provided and interpreted in the community setting.

REPORTING METHOD

Adhered to the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR) PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: A small selection of patients within the NHS Trust in which the research was conducted contributed to the design of the study, in particular some of the interview questions and timing.

Reduction in the Incidence Density of Pressure Injuries in Intensive Care Units after Advance Preventive Protocols

(1) Background: Patients who are critically ill or undergo major surgery are admitted to intensive care units (ICUs). Prolonged immobilization is the most likely cause of pressure injuries (PrIs) in the ICU. Previous studies of Western populations found that effective protocols could reduce the incidence of PrIs, and the efficacy of systemic targeted intervention protocols in preventing PrIs in the Chinese population needs to be surveyed. (2) Methods: We reviewed cases of PrIs in the ICUs of Taipei Veterans General Hospital from 2014 to 2019. The ICU nurses at the hospital began to implement targeted interventions in January 2017. The incidence density of PrIs was calculated by dividing the number of PrIs by person days of hospitalizations in the pre-bundle (2014-2016) and post-bundle (2017-2019) stages. Poisson regression was performed to compare the trend of incidence densities. (3) Results: The incidence density of PrIs was 9.37/1000 person days during the pre-bundle stage and 1.85/1000 person days during the post-bundle stage (p < 0.001). The relative risk (RR) was 0.197 (95% confidence interval: 0.149-0.26). The incidence densities of iatrogenic PrIs and non-iatrogenic PrIs decreased as the RRs decreased. (4) Conclusions: Targeted interventions could significantly reduce the incidence of PrIs. Healthcare providers must follow the bundle care protocol for PrI prevention to improve the quality of healthcare and promote patient health.

Characteristics of COVID-19 patients who developed pressure injuries: a scoping review

OBJECTIVE

To describe the characteristics of patients with COVID-19 who developed pressure injuries (PIs), the characteristics of PIs experienced, and the incidence and prevalence of PIs among the patients with COVID-19. PIs are associated with increased morbidity, mortality and healthcare expense. PIs have been reported among patients who have contracted COVID-19. Understanding the characteristics of COVID-19 patients, and how PIs are prevented and managed, may inform care and optimise the outcomes for COVID-19-positive patients.

METHOD

A scoping review was conducted. All study designs, including grey literature, published in the English language from December 2019 to March 2021, reporting on patients with COVID-19 and PIs, were included.

RESULTS

In total, 27 publications (n=4820 patients) were included in the review. The reported incidence rate of PIs was 7.3-77.0%. The causative factors noted were: prone positioning (28.5%); medical devices (21.4%); and medical devices used during prone positioning (14.2%). The most common PI sites were the cheeks (18.7%). PIs occurred on average at 14.7 days post-acute care admission. Of the PIs where staging information was specified (67.7%), the most common was Stage 2/II (45.2%). PI risk may intensify on account of the intrinsic mechanism of COVID-19-associated intensive care treatment.

CONCLUSION

PI prevention and management should be prioritised for patients with COVID-19, given the reported high prevalence of PIs and exacerbated risk arising from the use of prone position and medical devices. Further research is required to understand the association between COVID-19 and PIs, and to guide effective prevention and treatment approaches.

Patient and carer experience of living with a pressure injury: A meta-synthesis of qualitative studies

INTRODUCTION

Pressure injuries are a significant cause of harm, contributing to increased mortality and financial burden on the healthcare system. Significant research on pressure injury risk assessment, prevention and treatment exists, but limited research exploring the patient and carer experience of living with pressure injury.

AIMS

The aim of this meta-synthesis was to describe the patient and carer experience of living with a pressure injury.

DESIGN

Meta-synthesis.

METHODS

A prospective review protocol was registered, and systematic search conducted across five electronic databases. The PRISMA 2020 checklist for reporting systematic reviews was used. Two reviewers independently undertook screening and review of articles, using the CASP checklist for evaluating qualitative research. A meta-synthesis using thematic content analysis was undertaken.

RESULTS

Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria. Meta-synthesis led to the construction of three primary themes: loss of autonomy and independence, psychological effects, and adjustment. Within these primary themes, sub-themes of dependence, social isolation and social avoidance behaviours, feelings and emotions, loss, managing, physical consequences, service provision, and functional challenges, were identified.

CONCLUSION

The psychology and mindset of those involved, and support to navigate the challenges that arise are two unique and clinically relevant categorisations to guide provision of pressure injury care. Adaptation to a pressure injury is multi-faceted and contextual, challenges to adaptation create additional psychological burden. Interventions encompassing all facets of the experience are necessary. Current research into experiences is limited, and further research to support interventions is necessary.

Translation and piloting of the Chinese Mandarin version of an intensive care-specific pressure injury risk assessment tool (the COMHON Index)

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Pressure injuries and skin tone diversity in undergraduate nurse education: Qualitative perspectives from a mixed methods study

AIMS

To, firstly, explore student and academic nurse perceptions of classroom content about the assessment and identification of pressure injuries across skin tone diversity and, secondly, to describe the impact of classroom content on student nurse understanding of pressure injury in people with dark skin tones.

DESIGN

Qualitative case study employing focus groups and semi-structured interviews.

METHODS

Five higher education institutions in the United Kingdom were purposively chosen. At each of the five-case sites, one focus group with student nurses and one semi-structured interview with a nurse academic were conducted between May 2018 and April 2019. The participants' narratives were transcribed verbatim and analysed via thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Classroom learning was predominately framed through a white lens with white normativity being strongly reinforced through teaching and learning activities. This reinforcement of white normativity was evidenced through two main themes: (i) dominance of whiteness in the teaching and learning of pressure injuries in undergraduate nurse education and (ii) the impact and implications for student nurses of whiteness as the norm in pressure injury teaching.

CONCLUSION

Nurses responsible for the design and delivery of teaching and learning experiences for nursing students need to ensure meaningful teaching and learning experiences. This learning should assist future nurses to interrogate their complicity in a system of white dominance.

IMPACT

Nurse education delivered today influences and shapes nurses of the future. Nurses are the cornerstone of healthcare and play a significant role in the delivery of equitable healthcare. Nurse academics have a duty of care to inform and highlight health inequities in nursing and ultimately to enhance equity in care.

Impact of tailored training about pressure injuries on nurses' knowledge levels and pressure injury point prevalence: The case of Turkey

AIM

This study was conducted to determine the impact of tailored training provided to nurses for preventing pressure injuries (PIs) on nurses' knowledge levels and the PI point prevalence (PP).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This interventional study was carried out in a university hospital with a bed capacity of 1114 in an urban center in Turkey. Ethics committee approval (28.06.2018/31) and institutional permission were obtained for the study, in addition to the nurses' written, informed consent. The study was completed in three stages. In the first stage an initial PP study was conducted in the clinics with the participation of the nurses and the members of the research team (n = 422 patients). In the second stage the knowledge levels of 194 nurses were measured before training was given on following-up and preventing PIs. The nurses then participated in the tailored training and their knowledge levels were re-measured afterwards. All the nurses were given individual advice related to the prevention of PIs for 30 days after they had completed the training. In the third stage a second PP study was conducted four months after the first PP study (n = 454 patients). The data were collected using the Pressure Injury Prevalence Form, the Braden Pressure Ulcer Risk Assessment Tool and the Knowledge Level Measurement Form. Descriptive values, the paired samples t-test, Pearson's chi-squared test and Fisher's Exact test were used to evaluate the data.

RESULTS

The nurses' pretest mean knowledge score was 55.36% ± 14.40 and their posttest mean score was 69.92% ± 9.73. The difference between these scores was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The study found no significant difference between the first PP ratio and the second PP ratio (p > 0.05), and the nurses were better able to evaluate skin and PIs after the training.

CONCLUSION

The study determined that the tailored training given to the nurses increased their knowledge; however, it had no impact on the PP after four months. It is recommended that any training programs using this model be continued and that PP studies of institutions be conducted annually.

Clinical profile of the SEM Scanner - Modernizing pressure injury care pathways using Sub-Epidermal Moisture (SEM) scanning

INTRODUCTION

Pressure injuries (PIs) are a global health concern. Current PI care standards, including skin tissue assessments (STA) and health care professional (HCP) clinical judgment, diagnose visibly manifested PIs on the skin's surface, i.e. after the damage has already occurred. However, objective assessment of early-stage, non-visible, pressure-induced tissue damage is clinically impossible within the current standard of care. The SEM Scanner is the first device authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that addresses this unmet clinical need.

AREAS COVERED

This review describes the novel sub-epidermal moisture (SEM) scanning technology of the device and summarizes the clinical safety and efficacy data that support the use of the scanner in routine PI care practice.

EXPERT OPINION

The clinical strategy for developing the SEM Scanner is noteworthy. SEM technology using anatomy-specific data enables HCPs to provide early PI prevention interventions before visible signs of tissue damage develop while the damage is still reversible. When adopted into routine practice, the device identifies an increased risk of developing PIs 5 days (median) earlier than STA. FDA clearance was based on bench studies and data from three foundational trials that demonstrate the diagnostic accuracy of the device algorithm significantly exceeding clinical judgment (p < 0.001).

Educating Certified Nursing Assistants to Communicate Skin Changes to Reduce Pressure Injuries

Pressure injuries (PIs) are common and costly complications in long-term care (LTC) residents. Educating and coaching certified nursing assistants (CNAs) to communicate early skin changes is a PI surveillance strategy that may influence PI outcomes. A communication guide related to Skin, Clean, Activity, and Nutrition was developed for CNAs to promote prompt upstream communication to licensed nurses. A pre-/post-intervention design measured PI knowledge and skills in 24 CNAs, and PI incidence was tracked over a 6-week time period. CNAs demonstrated improvement in their PI surveillance role, comfort in identifying and reporting skin changes, keeping skin clean and dry, and resident nutritional status. Baseline PI incidence of 9.6% decreased to 0% by Week 3, and no new PIs occurred over 6 weeks. CNAs developed role awareness and knowledge in primary PI surveillance and were instrumental in a team approach to decrease PIs in a LTC setting. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 47(8), 21-28.].

Knowledge and practices of operating room nurses in the prevention of pressure injuries

BACKGROUND

Operating room (OR) nurses play an important role in preventing the pressure injuries (PIs) that may develop during the perioperative process. This study was conducted to determine OR nurses' level of knowledge about PIs, and how they manage them.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional, quantitative and descriptive study. The sample of the study consisted of 234 OR nurses working in eight different public hospitals in Ankara. The questionnaire applied in this study was prepared in accordance with the guidelines. This questionnaire consisted of three sections: demographic profiling, common preventive practices, and the knowledge of OR nurses about intraoperative PI prevention.

FINDINGS

66.7% of the participants had received education about PIs during their basic nursing training, and 41.5% had received education after graduation. 97.4% of OR nurses did not follow international guidelines about PIs. The mean total score of the OR nurses for the questions about PIs was 52.0 ± 13.7 out of a possible score of 100. The lowest mean score was obtained for the topic of 'staging pressure injuries', and the highest score was obtained from 'interventions to prevent pressure injuries'. In addition, 81.5% of the OR nurses stated that they were not given information about patients with a high PI risk by clinical nurses. 97.9% of the OR nurses did not use a scale to assess intraoperative PI risks. Fewer than half of the nurses said that they assessed the risk of PIs during surgery. 90.8% the nurses did not record risk assessment and interventions to prevent PIs.

CONCLUSION

There is a need to incorporate basic operating room PI (ORPI) training into both the basic nursing and in-service training to improve the knowledge of OR nurses about how to prevent and manage ORPIs. In addition, measures to assess PI risk and prevent ORPI should be included in institutional policies and procedures.

Pressure injury prevalence and risk factors in Chinese adult intensive care units: A multi-centre prospective point prevalence study

Despite increasing preventive efforts, pressure injury still occurs in intensive care patients. This study was aimed to describe pressure injury prevalence, risk factors, and prevention practices in adult intensive care patients. This was a multi-centre, one-day, prospective point prevalence study in which a total of 198 intensive care units from 21 provinces in China participated. Overall and ICU-acquired prevalence in intensive care patients were 12.26% and 4.31%, respectively. Consistent with earlier reports, almost half of the ICU-acquired pressure injuries were at stage I, one-fourth were at stage 2, and the most common body sites for pressure injuries were sacral and heel region. Risk factors identified were consistent with prior studies. Repositioning was the most commonly used pressure injury prevention strategy, followed by alternating pressure mattresses/overlays, floating heels, and air-filled mattresses/overlays. These reflect a good level of adherence to recommended international pressure injury prevention clinical practice guidelines. The results provide a baseline reference for overall and ICU-acquired prevalence among adult intensive care patients in China. Future research on what contributed to the lower pressure injury incidence in China needs to be conducted to inform healthcare organisations on their future preventive strategies for pressure injury prevention.

Social participation of people with chronic wounds: A systematic review

Living with chronic ulcers can be burdensome and restrictive, with regard to not only physical and psychological but also social well-being. This review aims to analyse social participation in patients with chronic wounds and to compare results across different wound types. A search string was applied in several electronic databases. Results were screened according to predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data of eligible articles were extracted and synthesised narratively. The search revealed 42 eligible publications. Only minor differences across different ulcer types could be detected. Overall, family members were the main social contacts for patients; they often provided wound care and emotional support. Patients had few non-family relations, but those existing were often very close. Patients felt guilty as their condition imposed burden on family and friends, as well. A close relationship with nurses was described. Restrictions were caused by direct and indirect consequences of the wound. Overall, social support and social connections were reduced in wound patients. Inconsistent results were found regarding social isolation. In summary, people with chronic wounds experience impairments in all aspects of social participation. Therefore, social participation deserves increased attention in routine care both as a trigger of burden and as an outcome of therapy.

Knowledge and Attitude of Community Nurses on Pressure Injury Prevention: A Cross-sectional Study in an Indonesian City

The objectives of this study were to examine the knowledge and attitude of Indonesian community nurses regarding Pressure Injury (PI) prevention. A cross‐sectional design was used and included the community nurses permanently working in the Public Health Center (Puskemas) in Bandung, West Java Indonesia. Knowledge was measured using the Pressure Ulcer Knowledge Assessment Tool (PUKAT 2.0). Attitudes were measured using a predesigned instrument which included 11 statements on a five point Likert scale. All data were collected using paper‐based questionnaires. The response rate was 100%. Respondents (n = 235) consisted of 80 community nursing program coordinators (34.0%) and 155 community nurses (66.0%). Regarding knowledge, the percentage of correct answers in the total group of community nurses on the PUKAT 2.0 was 30.7%. The theme “Prevention” had the lowest percentage of correct answers (20.8%). Community nurses who had additional PI or wound care training had a higher knowledge score compared with community nurses who did not have additional PI training (33.7% vs 30.3%; Z = −1.995; P = 0.046). The median attitude score was 44 (maximum score 55; range 28–55), demonstrating a positive attitude among participants towards PI prevention. Further, the higher the education status of participants, the more positive the attitudes (H = 11.773; P = 0.003). This study shows that community nurses need to improve their basic knowledge of PI prevention. Furthermore, research should be performed to explore what community nurses need to strengthen their role in PI prevention.

Meanings of living with a chronic wound: a meta-synthesis study

Objective: explore qualitative research on the meanings of living with a chronic wound. Method: it is a qualitative meta-synthesis. 13 articles were included, totaling a sample of 248 individuals who self-reported living with a chronic wound. The Critical Appraisal Skills Program instrument was used to evaluate the eligible articles, and to report the qualitative synthesis, the recommendations of Enhancing transparency in reporting the synthesis of qualitative research were followed. The analysis and extraction of information and construction of the synthesis were carried out by two independent reviewers, with the assistance of a third expert reviewer. Results: living with a chronic wound involves initial concerns and the appearance of symptoms, especially marked pain. They report that the increase in pain led to low functional capacity, as well as weakened social relationships and financial conditions. The experiences illustrate the challenges of emotional burden and the implications of illness, which contributed to social isolation. Religiosity and spirituality were the main coping strategies. Conclusion: living with a chronic wound means a condition of pain, limits physical and functional capacity, causes negative feelings and emotions that result in people’s isolation.

Significados de viver com ferida crônica: estudo de metassíntese

Objetivo: explorar pesquisas qualitativas sobre os significados de viver com ferida crônica. Método: trata-se de uma metassíntese qualitativa. Foram incluídos 13 artigos, totalizando uma amostra de 248 indivíduos que autorreportaram viver com ferida crônica. Utilizou-se o instrumento do Critical Appraisal Skills Programme para avaliação dos artigos elegíveis, e para relatar a síntese qualitativa, seguiram-se as recomendações do Enhancing transparency in reporting the synthesis of qualitative research. A análise e extração das informações e construção da síntese foram feitas por dois revisores independentes, sob o auxílio de um terceiro revisor especialista. Resultados: viver com ferida crônica envolve preocupações iniciais e aparecimento dos sintomas, especialmente dor marcante. Relatam que o aumento da dor levou à baixa capacidade funcional, bem como relações sociais e condição financeira fragilizadas. As experiências ilustram os desafios da carga emocional e das implicações do adoecimento, que contribuíram para o isolamento social. A religiosidade e espiritualidade foram as principais estratégias de enfrentamento. Conclusão: viver com ferida crônica significa uma condição de dor, limita a capacidade física e funcional, provoca sentimentos e emoções negativas que resultam no isolamento das pessoas.

Pressure injury data in Australian acute care settings: A comparison of three data sets

Hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs) represent a serious clinical and economic problem. The cost of treating HAPIs in Australian public hospitals was recently reported at AUS$983 million per annum. There are three main sources of data for documenting pressure injury (PI) occurrence in Australian hospitals: incident reporting, medical record coded data, and real-time surveys of pressure injury. PI data reported at hospital level and to external agencies using these three different sources are variable. This reporting issue leads to inaccurate data interpretation and hinders improvement in accuracy of PI identification and PI prevention. This study involved a comparison of the three different data sources in selected Australian hospitals, to improve the accuracy and comparability of data. Findings from this study provide benchmark areas for improvement in PI documenting and reporting. Better understanding the agreement between the three data sets could lead to a more efficient and effective sharing of data sources.

Pressure ulcers: the core, care and cure approach

Pressure ulcer/injury remains a significant health problem in the community, requiring comprehensive care. Nurses are involved in the management and prevention of pressure injury. However, to date, studies focusing on applying nursing theory to pressure ulcer care have been limited. In the present study, the three dimensions of Lydia Hall's 1964 theory-core, care and cure-are extensively discussed and linked with the practice of pressure injury management. It is hoped that this review will help community nurses understand the application of this nursing theory to the prevention and management of pressure injury.

Characteristics of people with pressure ulcers using one year's routinely collected data in a defined diverse community

OBJECTIVE

To determine if meaningful patient characteristics pertaining to pressure ulcers (PU) can be derived from routinely collected community health data.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort analysis of records was carried out. To provide a detailed dataset on PU for the community of interest, demographic, general medical and PU data were extracted from mandatory incident reports and audit of electronic and paper medical records. This study is reported in accordance with the RECORD Guidelines from the Equator Network. Adult patients were enrolled from a district nursing service in the target region (n=1085) during 2015. The target region was based on a geographical region bounded by a single postcode district (target region) consisting of 62,000 people of whom approximately 50,000 were adults, 3000 of whom were aged >75 years.

RESULTS

The total number of recorded PUs was n=137 in 103 individuals. Data from mandatory incident reports was obtainable for nearly all variables. Electronic and paper medical records were less reliable due to missing data.

CONCLUSION

Detailed characteristics of community-dwelling PU patients can be derived from routinely collected data, and provides various forms and levels of information which could feed into different projects. The use of mandatory reporting fields increases the level of reporting and reduces missing data. Data enriched with information from electronic and paper records could inform the addition of variables to mandatory forms to improve characterisation of community dwellers with PUs.