This study was funded by Health Services Research and Development (HSR&D), Nursing Research Initiative (NRI 03-245-4).  Objectives were to (a) establish the validity of a SCI Pressure Ulcer Monitoring Tool (SCI-PUMT), (b) evaluate the sensitivity of the SCI-PUMT, and; (c) establish the reliability of the SCI-PUMT.

An Expert Panel was convened to determine SCI-specific key variables related to assessment of Stages II-IV pressure ulcers;  these variables were further refined by another Expert Panel.  The study assessment item pool consisted of SCI-specific variables, variables from the Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing (PUSH) tool, and variables from the Bates-Jensen Pressure Sore Status Tool (PSST).  Patients were followed weekly for 12 weeks to assess 29 variables and digitally photograph each ulcer.

Validation and reliability of the tool will conclude by 4/1/08 and analyses will be accomplished.  A minimum of 150 ulcers will have completed the study, adjusting for a 20% attrition.  Assessment of each variable of the SCI-PUMT will be explained. 

Demographic and ulcer characteristics will be statistically described; content validity will be computed using the content validity index, and construct validity will be computed using exploratory factor analysis. Assessment of volume and area via digital photography will ascertain the sensitivity of the SCI-PUMT using a mixed regression analysis. An intra-class correlation (ICC) and Cronbach’s alpha will be computed to determine the reliability of the SCI-PUMT to reflect healing.

This study will represent a milestone in quantifying pressure ulcer healing in this extreme-risk population.  Use of tool this will be critical to determine the effective management of pressure ulcers in persons with SCI.