Abstract: Real-Time Pressure Vizualization Guides Repositioning to Reduce Hospital-Acquired Pressure Injuries (49th Annual Conference (May 19-23, 2017))

Traci Tillery, MSN, FNP-BC, CWOCN-AP, CFCN, Specialty Services, Floyd Medical Center, Rome, GA and Tracy Floyd, LPN, Floyd Medical Center, Rome, GA

Purpose

Despite many interventions and support surfaces, pressure injuries continue to occur. One study shows that Health Care Providers (HCPs) are unaware of the actual pressure redistribution effects of repositioning interventions which allow patients continued high pressure exposure,¹ leading to pressure injury (PI) development.

Methods

To better understand patients’ pressure exposure, real-time pressure monitors (RTPMs) were placed on Critical Care Unit (CCU) mattresses for 5 months. HCPs utilized this visualization when repositioning patients. Peak pressures were recorded when HCPs repositioned both before and after interventions. Number of hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs) were also gathered for the 5 months prior to using the system as well as the 5 months the systems were used.

Results

A total of 518 repositions were observed. Prior to assessing peak pressures with the RTPMs, the peak pressures averaged 53 mmHg. When RTMPs were utilized for repositioning the average peak pressures dropped to 45mmHg. HAPIs also reduced when the RTMPs were utilized. Five months prior to use, 7 HAPIs were reported. With the RTPMs in use, only 2 HAPI were acquired in the CCU.

Conclusion

Visualizing pressure exposure in the CCU has lead to more effective repositioning and less HAPIs.