Combining A Static Air Cushion and A Low Air Loss Surface to Further Decrease and Sustain Pressure Injuries in the ICU Population

Purpose: This evidence based quality improvement was aimed to decrease sacrum/coccyx/buttock/hip pelvic regions HAPIs (Hospital Acquired Pressure Injuries) in the ICU patient population.

Background: In any ICU population, prevention of sacrum/coccyx/buttock/hip HAPIs is an ongoing concern and challenge. The past 23 months’ ICU HAPI incidence data was reviewed by WOC nurse and found an average of 3 sacrum/coccyx/buttock/hip HAPIs occurred per 1000 ICU patient days. It is a challenging task to decrease HAPI events.

Methods: Utilization of a live image mapping system monitored the sacrum/coccyx/buttock/hip pressures with and without placing a static air cushion under the buttock/hip/posterior pelvic region on the low air loss with pulmonary function surface. It was noted when utilizing the static air cushion on a low air loss surface, it greatly decreased/redistributed the sacrum/buttock bony prominence pressure without blocking the pulmonary treatment feature for ICU patients.

Results: New PI prevention guidelines were initiated which is instituted a static air cell cushion on every ICU’s low air loss bed. Data collected by WOC nurse and showed ICU sacrum/coccyx/buttock/hip HAPIs decreased to 0 HAPIs/1000 ICU patient days in first five consecutive months. Then we have been able to sustain 0.4 HAPIs/1000 ICU patient days for the following ten months ending March, 2017.

Conclusions: Sacrum/Coccyx/Buttock/Hip HAPIs can be prevented efficiently and effectively with combining a static air cushion on ICU’s low air loss with pulmonary function bed without blocking pulmonary treatment features.