Pressure necrosis secondary to negative pressure dressing

Systematic review: Incidence and prevalence of mucous membrane pressure injury in adults admitted to acute hospital settings

Mucous membrane pressure injury (MMPI) is associated with a history of medical device use at the site of injury. The current international guideline recommends they should be reported in incidence and prevalence studies. The aim of this systematic review was to analyse the incidence and prevalence of hospital-acquired MMPI in adults admitted to acute hospital settings. Database searches (EBSCO CINAHL Complete, EBSCO Medline Complete, Embase, Scopus and Web of Science) were undertaken between October 2019 and February 2021, using search terms related to hospital-acquired, mucosal and device-related pressure injury/ulcer incidence and prevalence. Searches were limited to the English language. Articles published between 2008 and 2020, reporting incidence or prevalence of mucous membrane or medical device-related pressure injury in non-interventional samples were selected. Two authors assessed study bias and extracted data, with a third reviewer as arbitrator. Twenty-one studies met inclusion criteria; most provided incidence data. No studies were found that specifically reported MMPI incidence or prevalence. It was possible to calculate incidence or prevalence from four studies; all were in intensive care settings. MMPI incidence of 0.8% and 30.4%, and prevalence of 1.7% and 3.7% were found. One study provided data that enabled calculation of prevalence of 0.1% in a non-intensive care sample. Only one other study provided specific data about MMPI. It is concluded that there is insufficient evidence available to enable estimation of MMPI incidence or prevalence in either acute hospital or intensive care settings.

Device-related pressure ulcers in community settings

Understanding the differential diagnosis between device-related pressure ulcers (DRPUs) and pressure ulcers ensures that appropriate prevention, management and intervention plans are identified. National reporting systems now include DRPUs alongside other categories of pressure ulcers listed by international pressure ulcer advisory panels. Medical devices are not the only cause of DRPUs, and, in the community setting, other objects can also cause pressure ulcers, such as spectacles and hearing aids. Skin assessment around the site of devices is essential to ensure the skin is intact, the micro-climate is considered and the skin is properly cleansed. Risk assessment for devices should be undertaken, and prevention according to the device itself may include fixation and the use of prophylactic dressings. Advice and support must be given to patients and carers to facilitate self-care and identify signs of skin damage and infection.

Use of wound dressings to enhance prevention of pressure ulcers caused by medical devices

Medical device related pressure ulcers (MDR PUs) are defined as pressure injuries associated with the use of devices applied for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes wherein the PU that develops has the same configuration as the device. Many institutions have reduced the incidence of traditional PUs (sacral, buttock and heel) and therefore the significance of MDR PU has become more apparent. The highest risk of MDR PU has been reported to be patients with impaired sensory perception, such as neuropathy, and an impaired ability for the patient to communicate discomfort, for example, oral intubation, language barriers, unconsciousness or non-verbal state. Patients in critical care units typify the high-risk patient and they often require more devices for monitoring and therapeutic purposes. An expert panel met to review the evidence on the prevention of MDR PUs and arrived at these conclusions: (i) consider applying dressings that demonstrate pressure redistribution and absorb moisture from body areas in contact with medical devices, tubing and fixators, (ii) in addition to dressings applied beneath medical devices, continue to lift and/or move the medical device to examine the skin beneath it and reposition for pressure relief and (iii) when simple repositioning does not relieve pressure, it is important not to create more pressure by placing dressings beneath tight devices.