Pressure Injuries
Risk Assessment and Prevention Measures

LEARNING OUTCOME AND OBJECTIVES:  Upon completion of this continuing education course, you will have increased your understanding of pressure injury assessment, prevention, and treatment. Specific learning objectives to address potential knowledge gaps include:

• Discuss the impacts of pressure injuries.
• Explain the risk factors for developing pressure injuries.
• Describe the processes for conducting risk assessments and measuring risk associated with pressure injuries.
• Identify actions to help prevent pressure injuries.
• Analyze actions to prevent pressure injuries in special populations.

INTRODUCTION

The skin is the largest organ in the human body—and essential to life and well-being. Human skin serves many vital functions, the most critical of these being to provide a barrier between the external environment and the internal environment of the body. Similar to any other organ in the body, the human skin is susceptible to disease and injury. Wounds involving the skin are a frequent occurrence in all age groups.

A pressure injury is a wound unlike any other in that its cause is not surgery or trauma but death of the skin and underlying tissues from ischemia due to intense and/or prolonged pressure. A pressure injury can also result from a combination of pressure and shear. There are many factors that contribute to the development of a pressure injury and whether or not it will heal, but the biggest factor in all of these is pressure.

Pressure injury is not new, and the terminology to describe it has varied over time:

• Decubitus (18th century)
• Decubitus ulcer (ca. 1950s)
• Bed sore (ca. 1970s)
• Pressure sore (ca. 1980s)
• Pressure ulcer (ca. 1990s)
• Pressure injury (2016–present)
  (PA DOH, 2017)

Defining “Pressure Injury”

Over the years, the definition of a pressure injury has been refined as medical knowledge and understanding of the disease process has advanced, along with improvements in treatment approaches and imaging technology. The National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel (NPIAP, 2016a) definition states:

A pressure injury is localized damage to the skin and underlying soft tissue usually over a bony prominence or related to a medical or other device. The injury can present as intact skin or an open ulcer and may be painful. The injury occurs as a result of intense and/or prolonged pressure or pressure in combination with shear. The tolerance of soft tissue for pressure and shear may also be affected by microclimate, nutrition, perfusion, comorbidities, and condition of the soft tissue.

The localized damage in a pressure injury is the result of compression of soft tissue that interferes with the tissue’s blood supply, leading to vascular insufficiency, tissue anoxia, and cell death. Pressure injuries can develop within 24 hours of the initial pressure but may take as long as a week to present themselves. The first tissues to die are nearest the bone, and as the pressure and anoxia continue, the remaining layers of tissue begin to die. The skin is the last to die. The damage can be compared to an iceberg, with a smaller amount of damage visible at the surface and a large amount of damage below the surface.

Pressure injury usually occurs over bony prominences such as the sacrum, ischium, heel, and trochanter, where there is less tissue to compress. Other factors—such as shearing, skin moisture, heat, poor nutrition, comorbidities, and incontinence—also contribute to the tissue breakdown (WOCN, 2022a).

The Impact of Pressure Injuries

The impact of pressure injuries is staggering. Over 2.5 million cases of pressure injuries are reported in the United States on an annual basis, making pressure injuries the second most frequent diagnosis in healthcare billing records in this country. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data, pressure injury is the eighth most common cause of death in the United States. Veterans Affairs facilities have pressure injury rates double that of the national average (NPIAP, 2021).

Monitoring skin integrity and taking proactive steps to prevent pressure injury development are a primary responsibility for healthcare providers. Failure to do so can have detrimental consequences for patients, providers, and healthcare facilities, such as:

• First and foremost, these wounds are very painful, causing patients a great deal of suffering.
• Quality of life is affected, as the patient must alter activities to help heal the wound, and they may face long-term hospitalization.
• The anatomical location of the injury may result in a loss of dignity.
• The burden of dealing with a chronic wound can result in stress, anxiety, depression, less autonomy and security, and impaired social functioning.
• A nonhealing injury is at high risk for infection, which can be life threatening.
• Caring for a patient with pressure injury negatively impacts the quality of life for family members and caretakers.
  (WOCN, 2022a)

Pressure injury is a particular problem for bedbound individuals who are hospitalized, in nursing homes, or have spinal cord injuries. Pressure injuries also increase healthcare professionals’ workloads, as additional time and care must be provided to manage and treat patients’ pressure injuries—more dressing changes, more medications, and more documentation.

Litigation may be brought against a hospital and its staff for neglect, malpractice, and elder abuse if a patient develops a pressure injury while in the hospital. Awards can be in the millions of dollars, and the bad publicity that follows will damage the hospital’s reputation, bottom line, and the trust patients have that they can be cared for safely. Cases involving the occurrence of pressure injuries are the primary malpractice claim in this country (NPIAP, 2021).

Pressure injuries are reportable to state and federal agencies. The information is placed in reports accessible to the public. Regardless of the care setting, all providers must account for the number of pressure injuries that were present on admission and on subsequent reassessments, whether they have closed or worsened (CMS, 2022a).

Governmental agencies may levy fines against a hospital for pressure injuries. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) no longer pays a hospital for the additional care needed for a patient who develops a hospital-acquired pressure injury, and the hospital must provide the care nonetheless (CMS, 2022b).

Thus, the assessment, prevention, and treatment of pressure injuries are of major importance to healthcare professionals and to the facilities at which they practice. Most facilities have developed pressure injury prevention programs to put these ideas into practice and prevent negative outcomes for both the patient and the facility.

RISK FACTORS

Risk Groups for Pressure Injuries

Across all settings the three groups most at risk for pressure injuries are:

• Individuals over 65 years of age (with those over age 75 at even greater risk)
• Neonates and children younger than three
• Individuals of any age with spinal cord injury (with spasticity, the extent of the paralysis, a younger age at onset, difficulty with practicing good skin care, and a delay in seeking treatment or implementing preventive measures increasing the risk of skin breakdown)

Other groups of patients also have a high risk for developing pressure injuries. These include patients who:

• Are in critical care
• Have a fractured hip (which indicates increased risk for heel pressure injuries)
• Have diabetes, secondary to complications from peripheral neuropathy
• Are confined to a wheelchair or bed
• Are immobile or for whom moving requires significant or taxing effort (e.g., morbidly obese)
• Experience incontinence
• Have neuromuscular and progressive neurological diseases (e.g., multiple sclerosis, ALS, Myasthenia gravis, stroke)
• Have neurodegenerative disorders (e.g., Parkinson’s disease, dementia)

Risks due to Aging Skin

Changes in both skin structure and function due to aging contribute to the occurrence of skin problems and decrease wound healing:

• A flattening of the epidermal-dermal junction decreases the overall strength of the skin, which increases the risk for skin tears and blistering.
• A decrease in the melanocytes and Langerhans cells increases the risk for allergic reactions and sensitivity to sunlight.
• A decrease in fibroblast function increases the time required to synthesize collagen.
• A decrease in blood flow decreases skin temperature and delays healing.
• A decrease in oil and sweat production contributes to dryness and flaking.
• A decrease in subcutaneous tissue, especially fat, decreases the body’s natural insulation and padding.
• A decline in the reproduction of the outermost layer of the epidermis may lead to the skin’s inability to absorb topical medications.

These changes in skin structure and function (together with changes in cellular DNA that affect cell reproduction and the ability to protect the skin) and the risks that occur with a change in overall health and functional ability put an aged patient at very high risk for the formation of a pressure injury (WOCN, 2022a; Baranoski & Ayello, 2020).

Other Risk Factors

More than 100 additional risk factors associated with the development a pressure injury have been identified. Some of these include:

• General medical conditions such as diabetes, stroke, multiple sclerosis, cognitive impairment, cardiopulmonary disease, cancer, hemodynamic instability (abnormal/unstable blood pressure), peripheral vascular disease, malnutrition, and dehydration
• Smoking
• History of a previous pressure injury (since scar tissue is weaker than the skin it replaces and breaks down more easily than intact skin)
• Increased facility length of stay
• Undergoing surgery longer than four hours
• Significant weight loss
• Prolonged time on a stretcher (since the surface is not conducive to pressure relief)
• Emergency department stays
• Medications, such as sedatives, analgesics, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Impaired sensation
• Refusal of care, such as when a patient refuses to be turned or moved despite education
• Edema
• Obesity
• Patient not being turned
• An intensive care unit stay, due to the high acuity of illness, presence of multiple comorbid conditions, and:
  • Mechanical ventilation
  • Vasopressors and hemodynamic instability
  • Multiple surgeries
  • Increased length of stay
  • Inability to report discomfort
(WOCN, 2022a; Baranoski & Ayello, 2020)

RISK ASSESSMENT

The purpose of assessing the risk for developing pressure injuries is to implement early detection and prevention measures. This is of utmost importance, as assessment without intervention is meaningless in the effort to prevent a pressure injury from developing.

Risk Assessment Schedules

The skin is the largest organ in the body, and the clinician must assess it regularly. The assessment of pressure injury risk is performed upon a patient’s entry to a healthcare setting and repeated on a regularly scheduled basis (per facility policy) as well as when there is a significant change in the patient’s condition, such as surgery or a decline in health status.

A schedule for reassessing risk is established based on the acuity of the patient and an awareness of when pressure injuries occur in a particular clinical setting. Recommendations based on the healthcare setting are included below (WOCN, 2022a; Baranoski & Ayello, 2020). A particular facility or setting may have different regulations.

ACUTE CARE

Generally, pressure injuries can develop within the first two weeks of hospitalization, and older adult patients can develop pressure injuries within the first week of hospitalization. The initial assessment is conducted upon admission and repeated:

• At least every 24 to 48 hours
• Whenever the patient is transferred from one unit to another
• Whenever the patient’s condition changes or deteriorates
• Per facility policy

Most medical-surgical units reassess at least daily.

ICU/CRITICAL CARE

Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are at high risk for developing pressure injuries, especially on the heel. ICU patients have been shown to develop pressure injuries within 72 hours of admission. Pressure injuries have been associated with a two- to fourfold increase in the risk of death in older people in the ICU. Pressure injury assessment is to be done at least once every 24 hours (WOCN, 2022a; Baranoski & Ayello, 2020).

INPATIENT REHABILITATION SETTINGS

The presence of a pressure injury was significantly associated with lower gains in motor function, longer length of stay, and decreased odds of being discharged to the community. Data from one study indicated that 51.1% of patients with spinal cord injury acquired at least one pressure injury during their first rehabilitation stay. Multiple risk factors were identified for the prevalence of pressure injuries in this population, including the severity of the spinal cord injury, development of pneumonia, and longer lengths of stay (Najmanova, 2022). Assessment is on admission and per facility protocol.

LONG-TERM CARE

Nursing home patients are at high risk for the development of pressure injuries. In long-term care settings, most pressure injuries develop within the first four weeks.

• In skilled nursing facilities, initial assessment is conducted upon admission and repeated weekly thereafter.
• In nursing homes with long-term patients, assessment is conducted upon admission, repeated weekly for the first month, and repeated monthly thereafter, or whenever the patient’s condition changes.

Among nursing home residents, it has been found that there is a substantial connection between the occurrence of pressure injuries and the presence of dementia, cerebrovascular disease, and female sex (Elli, 2022).

HOME HEALTH

In home healthcare settings, most pressure injuries develop within the first four weeks. The initial assessment is conducted upon admission and repeated:

• At resumption of care
• Recertification (assessment and approval of the need for continuation of patient care)
• Transfer or discharge
• Whenever the patient’s condition changes

Some agencies reassess with each nursing visit.

An important factor in preventing pressure injury development in the home care setting is the education of family and caretakers about interventions needed to maintain skin integrity. This must be an ongoing process and frequently evaluated by the clinician (Wound Source, 2019).

HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE

One study showed that of eight pressure injuries that developed during the study, five occurred within two weeks prior to death. Assessment occurs at admission and as patient condition changes. The development of pressure injuries during the end-of-life phase can significantly increase pain and suffering (Seton, 2022). However, preventing pressure injury development at the end of life can be challenging. Skin care must focus on hygiene, promoting comfort, pain control, and limiting distressing symptoms such as wound drainage, bleeding, or odor (Vickery, 2020).

Elements of an Assessment

Prevention of pressure injuries must begin with frequent and routine assessment of the patient’s skin and of the risk factors that, if left unmanaged, will contribute to the development of an injury. Risk assessment without interventions to modify the risk is meaningless.

A head-to-toe, front and back inspection of the skin must be done on admission and at least daily (or per facility regulation). Five parameters for skin assessment are recommended by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services:

• Skin color
• Skin temperature
• Skin texture/turgor
• Skin integrity
• Moisture status

The assessment focuses on high-risk areas such as bony prominences, areas of redness, and under medical devices. The specific areas to assess are shown in the table and diagram below. The assessment must not be limited to a visual inspect of the skin surfaces but also include tissue palpation to determine skin temperature, presence of edema, and overall tissue uniformity (WOCN, 2022a).

ASSESSING A PATIENT’S SKIN

If the patient’s position is:	Then focus on these areas:
Lateral	Ear, shoulder, trochanter, knee, ankle
Supine	Occiput, shoulder blades, elbows, sacrum, heels, toes
Semi-recumbent	Occiput, shoulder blades, elbows, sacrum, ischial tuberosities, heels
Seated	Shoulder blades, spinal protrusions, elbows, sacrum, ischial tuberosities, heels

Blanchable erythema is a reddened area that temporarily turns white or pale when pressure is applied with a fingertip. This is an early indication to redistribute pressure. Nonblanchable erythema is redness that persists when fingertip pressure is applied. It means that tissue damage has already occurred. (See image below.)

It can be difficult to identify skin problems in patients with dark skin. Redness may not be easy to see. The clinician needs to compare the at-risk area (such as the coccyx or hip) with skin next to it and look for color differences or changes in temperature or pain (WOCN, 2022a).

ASSESSMENT AND MEDICAL DEVICES

Medical devices such as shoes, heel and elbow protectors, splints, oxygen tubing, face masks, endotracheal tube holders, compression stockings and TED hose, and others must be removed and the skin inspected daily. For example, oxygen tubing can cause pressure injuries on the ears, and compression stockings and TED hose have been known to cause heel injuries.

If the device cannot be removed—such as a nasogastric (NG) tube, urinary catheter, tracheostomy holder, neck brace, or cast—then the skin around the device must be carefully inspected: the nares for an NG tube, the neck for a tracheostomy, the mucosa for a urinary catheter, etc. If the patient complains of pain under an unremovable device, the physician is notified (WOCN, 2022a).

Consider all adults with medical devices to be at risk for pressure injuries.

• The Joint Commission Quick Safety defines a medical device–related pressure injury (MDRPI) as an event that results from the use of devices applied to patients for diagnostic or therapeutic reasons (TJC, 2022). Studies indicate that as many as 50% of HAPIs are associated with medical device use (Sermersheim, 2021).
• The most frequently used medical devices that cause pressure injuries in adults include those related to respiratory care, tubes and drains, braces, compression wraps, and splints (Pittman, 2020).
• The most commons sites for MDRPIs are the ears, nose, face, chin, and lips (Brophy, 2021).
• Among pediatric patients, the prevalence of MDRPIs has been reported to be as high as 70%. This population is at high risk for serious injury related to medical devices due to factors such as immature skin development (especially in the neonate population), the lack of availability of correctly fitting medical devices, and the use of attachment and immobilization products (Stellar, 2020).

Injuries caused by medical devices are reportable to state and federal agencies, just as are those caused by pressure on bony prominences (EPUAP/NPIAP/PPPIA, 2019).

ASSESSMENT AND MOBILITY

Immobility is the most significant risk factor for pressure injury development. More frequent monitoring to prevent pressure injuries is conducted for patients who have some degree of immobility, including those who are:

• Nonambulatory
• Confined to bed, chairs, wheelchairs, recliners, or couches for long periods of time
• Paralyzed and/or have contractures
• Wearing orthopedic devices that limit function and range of motion
• Dependent on assistance to ambulate or reposition themselves
  (WOCN, 2022a)

ASSESSMENT FOR FRICTION VS. SHEARING

Friction is the rubbing of one surface against another. Patients who cannot lift themselves during repositioning and transferring are at high risk for friction injuries. Friction may contribute to the development or worsening of a pressure injury due to the shear it creates. There are two types of friction:

• Static friction is the force that resists motion when there is no sliding; for example, static friction prevents an individual from sliding down in bed when the head of the bed is elevated.
• Dynamic friction is the force between two surfaces when there is sliding, for example, when a person is sliding down in bed. Skin trauma can result.

Shear is the mechanical force that is parallel to the skin; it can damage deep tissues such as muscle. Shear can result when friction stretches the top layers of skin as it slides against a surface or deeper layers when tissues attached to the bone are pulled in one direction while the surface tissues remain stationary.

Shearing most commonly occurs when the head of the bed is elevated above 30 degrees and the patient slides downward. Friction is most common when patients are turned or pulled up in bed (WOCN, 2022a; EPUAP/NPIAP/PPPIA, 2019).

ASSESSMENT FOR INCONTINENCE

Moisture from incontinence can contribute to pressure injury development by macerating the skin and increasing friction injuries. Fecal incontinence is an even greater risk for pressure injury development than urinary incontinence because the stool contains bacteria and enzymes that are caustic to the skin. When both urinary and fecal incontinence occur, the fecal enzymes convert the urea in the urine to ammonia, which raises the skin’s pH. When the skin pH is elevated (alkaline), the skin is more susceptible to damage. Pressure injuries are four times more likely to develop in patients who are incontinent than in those who are continent (WOCN, 2022a).

ASSESSMENT FOR NUTRITIONAL STATUS

Although individual nutrients and their specific roles in preventing pressure injury have not been determined, malnutrition is associated with overall morbidity and mortality. A nutritional assessment is conducted upon admission or when there is a change in the patient’s condition that would increase the risk of malnutrition, such as:

• Patient’s refusal to eat or eating less than usual
• Prolonged NPO status
• Development of a wound or other conditions that increase metabolic demand
• When a pressure injury is not progressing toward healing

The clinician must also keep in mind that patients who are overweight or with obesity can be malnourished and should undergo a nutritional assessment.

Parameters to assess include:

• Current and usual weight
• History of unintentional weight loss or gain
• Food intake
• Dental health
• Ability to swallow and/or feed oneself
• Medical interventions (such as surgeries of the gastrointestinal tract that may affect absorption of nutrients such as vitamin B₁₂)
• Psychosocial factors (such as the ability to obtain and pay for food)
• Cultural influences on food selection

Serum albumin and prealbumin are no longer considered reliable indicators of nutritional status, as there are multiple factors that will decrease albumin levels even with adequate protein intake. These include inflammation, stress, surgery, hydration, insulin, and renal function. Therefore, laboratory evaluation is only one part of a nutrition assessment (WOCN, 2022a; Baranoski & Ayello, 2020).

ASSESSMENT FOR PREVIOUSLY HEALED PRESSURE INJURIES

During patient assessment, the clinician notes the presence of scar tissue or evidence of wound healing over bony prominences, such as the sacral area, and if possible, determines if this is a healed pressure injury. The existence of a previously healed pressure injury places a patient at greater risk for pressure injury recurrence. As a pressure injury heals, it decreases in depth, but the body does not replace the lost bone, muscle, subcutaneous fat, or dermis. Instead, the full-thickness injury is filled with granulation or scar tissue and then covered with new epithelium (EPUAP/NPIAP/PPPIA, 2019).

Various studies have indicated that patient populations most at risk for pressure injury reoccurrence include those with spinal cord injury and patients with surgical reconstruction, such as flap-closure. Diabetes mellitus and scoliosis were also found to be risk factors for pressure injury reoccurrence (Tsai, 2023).

Risk Assessment Tools and Scales

Several risk assessment tools or scales are available to help predict the risk of a pressure injury, based primarily on those assessments mentioned above. These tools consist of several categories, with scores that when added together determine a total risk score.

The Braden Scale for Predicting Pressure Sore Risk is the most validated and widely used pressure injury risk assessment tool in the United States. It was first published in 1987 and has thus been in use for decades across a variety of settings. Two other common scales are the Norton Scale and the Waterloo Scale (Baranoski & Ayello, 2020; WOCN, 2022a).

The Cubbin-Jackson Scale was created specifically to determine pressure injury risk in critically ill patients. In one study, it was found to have comparable prognostic validity to the Braden Scale, and in a second study, its prognostic validity was found to surpass the Braden Scale when used in a group of critically ill trauma patients (Higgins, 2020).

The clinician uses these tools to help determine risk so that interventions can be started promptly. These tools are only used for assessing adults, although the Braden-Q Scale has subcategories that relate to assessing children.

It is important that when the clinician uses a scale, the scale must not be altered in any way, meaning there cannot be shortcuts or changes to the definitions. Any changes would alter the accuracy and usefulness of the scale in predicting the risk of developing pressure injuries. The same scale should be used consistently throughout the facility, and if this is not a standard practice, it is one that clinicians should advocate for.

Assessment tools notwithstanding, if a patient has other major risk factors present (such as age, fever, poor perfusion, etc.), the patient may be at higher risk than a risk score would indicate. Clinicians must work to assure that, regardless of the specific risk assessment tool being used, the professionals using it are proficient in its use and knowledgeable regarding potential risk factors within their patient population that are not accounted for in the assessment tool they are using (WOCN, 2022a).

BRADEN SCALE

The Braden Scale consists of six categories:

1. Sensory perception: Can the patient respond to pressure-related discomfort?
2. Moisture: What is the patient’s degree of exposure to incontinence, sweat, and drainage?
3. Activity: What is the patient’s degree of physical activity?
4. Mobility: Is the patient able to change and control body position?
5. Nutrition: How much does the patient eat?
6. Friction/shear: How much sliding/dragging does the patient undergo?

There are four subcategories in each of the first five categories and three subcategories in the last category. The scores in each of the subcategories are added together to calculate a total score, which ranges from 6 to 23. The higher the patient’s score, the lower their risk.

• Less than mild risk: ≥19
• Mild risk: 15–18
• Moderate risk: 13–14
• High risk: 10–12
• Very high risk: ≤9

It is recommended that if other risk factors are present (such as age, fever, poor protein intake, hemodynamic instability), the risk level be advanced to the next level. Each deficit that is found when using the tool should be individually addressed, even if the total score is above 18. The best care occurs when the scale is used in conjunction with nursing judgment. Some patients will have high scores and still have risk factors that must be addressed, whereas others with low scores may be reasonably expected to recover so rapidly that those factors need not be addressed (WOCN, 2022a).

(See also “Resources” at the end of this course.)

NORTON SCALE

The very first pressure injury risk evaluation scale, called the Norton Scale, was created in 1962 and is still in use today in some facilities. It consists of five categories:

1. Physical condition
2. Mental condition
3. Activity
4. Mobility
5. Incontinence

Each category is rated from 1 to 4, with a possible total score ranging from 5 to 20. A score of less than 14 indicates a high risk of pressure injury development.

WATERLOO SCALE

The Waterloo Scale, mainly used in Europe, was developed in 1987. This scale consists of seven items:

1. Weight for height
2. Skin type
3. Sex and age
4. Malnutrition screening
5. Continence
6. Mobility
7. Special risk factors

Potential scores range from 1 to 64. The tool identifies three categories of risk: at risk (score of 10–14), high risk (score of 15–19), and very high risk (score of 20 and above).

CUBBIN-JACKSON SCALE

The Cubbin-Jackson Scale consists of ten items:

1. Patient age
2. Patient weight
3. Skin condition of the entire body
4. Mental status
5. Mobility
6. Nutrition
7. Respiratory status
8. Incontinence
9. Hygiene
10. Hemodynamic status.

It utilizes a four-point scale, with scores ranging from 10 to 40. The lower the score, the higher the risk for pressure injury (Choi, 2013).

THERMAL IMAGING

Research has shown that changes in temperature frequently occur before there are changes in skin color. Thermal imaging has therefore become an established tool in the assessment of deep tissue pressure injury (DTPI). Human skin produces infrared radiation, which allows long-wave infrared thermography (thermal imaging) to detect changes in skin temperature. It has been found that alterations in skin color related to unrelieved pressure more often develop into a pressure injury when the temperature of the area at baseline is below that of the adjacent skin.

In a study of 114 patients in an ICU, thermal imaging was used along with clinical assessment to evaluate anatomical sites at high risk for DTPIs, namely, the coccyx, sacrum, and bilateral heels. Thermal assessments were performed using the Scout Device, which is FDA approved for this procedure. Detecting early changes in skin temperature before there were any visible signs of DTPI allowed for proactive interventions, and data from the study demonstrated about a 60% reduction in the number of DTPIs compared to the unit’s usual rate.

Study authors pointed out that thermal imaging can result in significant cost savings, reduced expenditure in treating pressure injury, and reduced settlements related to legal liability for hospital-acquired pressure injury. Clinicians require training in the correct use of thermal injury equipment (Koerner, 2019).

Another study demonstrated that infrared thermography has the ability to identify tissue damage one day before visual discovery of a pressure injury. It was found that the infrared thermography model used in the study could perform an objective evaluation of subcutaneous tissue abnormalities. Early-stage detection allows for rapid implementation of preventive measures (Jiang, 2022).

PRESSURE INJURY PREVENTION

It is more cost efficient to prevent a pressure injury than to cure one. Interventions that help the clinician prevent pressure injuries include:

• Minimizing pressure through regular repositioning
• Using a support surface for body weight distribution
• Managing incontinence to prevent skin damage from moisture
• Managing nutrition and hydration to support the body in preventing damage and healing any damage that has occurred
  (Baranoski & Ayello, 2020; EPUAP/NPIAP/PPPIA, 2019; WOCN, 2022a)

Regular Repositioning and Early Mobilization

While the underlying cause and formation of pressure injuries is multifaceted, by definition a pressure injury cannot form without pressure on the tissue. Thus, immobility is the most significant risk for the development of pressure injuries. High pressures over bony prominences for a short time and low pressures over bony prominences for a long time are equally damaging (Baranoski & Ayello, 2020). In order to decrease the risk, it is important to reduce the time and amount of pressure the patient is exposed to.

All patients must have their positions changed on a regular schedule. How often this is done is determined by each patient’s activity/mobility level, tissue tolerance, skin condition, overall medical condition, treatment goals, type of pressure redistribution support surface used, and the comfort of the patient (Baranoski & Ayello, 2020; WOCN, 2022a).

Physical therapists may be involved in all aspects of pressure injury prevention, including the initial patient assessment, evaluation of patient mobility, positioning-related recommendations, and recommendation and implementation of treatment/interventions. An occupational therapist can also provide interventions for transfers, skill training for mobility, and independence skills for hygiene and toileting. Skills learned from these therapists can reduce incontinence and immobility, which can reduce the risk of pressure injury development (Baranoski & Ayello, 2020).

BED-BOUND PATIENTS

For bed-bound patients, the standard “turn every two hours” may be more than adequate for some but not at all adequate for others. Evidence suggests that turning/repositioning every four hours, when combined with a pressure-redistributing mattress, is as effective for prevention of pressure injury as repositioning or turning every two hours (WOCN, 2022a).

It is important to keep in mind that when lateral rotation mattresses are used for pulmonary and cardiovascular care, such rotation does not off-load the skin; the patient must still be repositioned off the bed surface and the skin checked frequently. Lateral rotation is a characteristic of specialized mattresses that rotate a patient around a longitudinal axis in a recurring sequence. Lateral rotation places the patient in positions that maintain one lung higher than the other. The goal of lateral rotation is to prevent pneumonia, not to treat or prevent pressure injury (Baranoski & Ayello, 2020).

If the medical condition is so severe that repositioning the patient regularly is not possible, then a support surface designed to decrease pressure must be used and the patient repositioned with frequent small shifts (e.g., mini or low-angle turns, elevating heels off the bed, repositioning the head and extremities every hour, and passive range of motion). (See also “Using Support Surfaces” below.)

When turning the patient, clinicians often think that the patient must be completely over on a side. This can be difficult for the clinician/caregiver to do, is uncomfortable for the patient, can result in cardiopulmonary compromise, and can increase pressure on the side of the body.

Instead, frequent small position changes, rather than completely turning the patient, is faster, easier, and safer for all. Any change in position is beneficial. The patient need only be tilted to the side, no more than 30 degrees, with pillows or wedges to help support and reduce the pressure over bony prominences. A small pillow behind the shoulder or the hip alters position without having to move the entire body. Bending the knee alters the pressure on the sacrum and hip. A pillow between the knees prevents pressure when one bony prominence is lying directly on top of another. A small pillow behind the heel will elevate the heel off the surface and prevent pressure.

NPIAP provides the following general recommendations for repositioning patients in bed:

• Reposition the patient in such a way that pressure is relieved or redistributed.
• Avoid positioning the patient on bony prominences with existing nonblanchable erythema.
• Avoid subjecting the skin to pressure and shear forces, and use manual handling aids to reduce friction and shear. Lift—do not drag—the patient while repositioning. Dragging the patient will cause skin damage due to friction. In most situations, simple devices like lift sheets can be used.
• Use a split-leg sling mechanical lift device when available to transfer a patient into a wheelchair or bedside chair when the patient needs total assistance to transfer. A split-leg sling incorporates wide straps that circle the legs. This device allows for comfortable positioning of the patient and has the added advantage of the patient’s knees not being pushed together, which is the typical position in a hammock sling (Preferred Health Choice, 2019).
• Do not leave moving and handling equipment under the patient after use unless the equipment is specifically designed for that purpose.
• Avoid positioning directly onto medical devices such as tubes, drainage systems, or other foreign objects.
• Do not leave the patient on a bedpan longer than necessary.
• Use principles of safe patient handling to prevent injury to both the patient and the staff.

Additional recommendations for repositioning in bed include:

• Use the 30-degree tilted side-lying position, alternating between right side, back, left side, or prone position if patient can tolerate this and the medical condition allows.
• Encourage individuals who can reposition themselves to sleep in a 30- to 40-degree side-lying position or flat in bed if not contraindicated.
• Avoid lying postures that increase pressure, such as a 90-degree side-lying position or the semirecumbent position.
• Limit head-of-bed elevation to 30 degrees for an individual on bedrest unless contraindicated by medical condition or feeding considerations. If not contraindicated, lower the head of the bed one hour after eating or intermittent bolus tube feedings (WOCN, 2022a).
• If sitting in bed is necessary, avoid head-of-bed elevation or a slouched position that places pressure and shear on the sacrum and coccyx.

For a patient with an existing pressure injury:

• Do not position the patient directly on the injury or on areas of nonblanchable redness or deep tissue injury; pressure reduces perfusion to the injured tissues and will delay healing and may cause deterioration of the wound.
• Continue to turn and reposition the patient regardless of the support surface in use.
• Inspect the skin for additional damage each time the patient is turned or repositioned.

Preventing Heel Pressure Injuries

The reduction of pressure and shear at the heels is very important in clinical practice. Studies indicate the heels are the most common place for the occurrence of deep tissue pressure injury (DTPI), and they are the second most common sites for the occurrence of all pressure injury (WOCN, 2022a). The posterior heel sustains intense pressure even when a pressure reduction surface is used. Because the heel has so little tissue, the pressure is transmitted directly to the bone. Patients diagnosed with diabetes mellitus and those with diminished circulation have a significant risk for the development of heel pressure injuries (Greenwood, 2021).

Ideally, heels should be free of all pressure, sometimes called “floating” the heels. Pressure can be relieved by elevating the lower leg and calf from the mattress by placing a pillow under the lower leg or using a suspension device that floats the heel. The pressure will then be spread to the lower leg, relieving the heel. The recommended position for the pillow is lengthwise under the calf, without hyperextension of the patient’s knee, and with the heel suspended off the pillow. Consideration should be given to the size of the pillow used. If it is too thin, offloading of the heel may not be achieved (Greenwood, 2021). The patient must still be turned at regular intervals to promote pulmonary, renal, and vascular function along with protecting skin integrity.

Padding devices such as synthetic sheep skin, fleece-lined “bunny boots,” and rigid splints protect the heels and remove friction and shear but do not remove the pressure, and regular skin checks are still required. Common devices such as intravenous bags, rolled towels or sheets, cut-out rings, and water-filled gloves are not designed to redistribute pressure and can actually increase pressure.

All appropriate heel pressure–relieving devices are used in conjunction with good nursing care, including frequent, individualized heel inspections. Patients are reminded to promptly report any heel discomfort, and this is followed by an immediate assessment by the clinician (Baranoski & Ayello, 2020; EPUAP/NPIAP/PPPIA, 2019).

CHAIR-BOUND PATIENTS

A chair-bound patient must be repositioned as well. When a patient is seated, the weight of the body causes the greatest amount of pressure to occur over the ischial tuberosities. Since this area of the body is relatively small, the ischia bear intense pressure when a person is seated; without pressure relief, a pressure injury will occur quickly. If the patient cannot sit upright but slouches in the chair, then the sacral area is at risk as well. Pressure remains unrelieved in a paralyzed person because the small, involuntary movements that restore blood flow to the tissues are absent.

Specialized wheelchairs that offer a tilt and/or recline option may be indicated for positioning patients at risk of developing pressure injuries. Tilt and recline, though often confused, actually serve distinct and complementary positioning roles. Reclining a chair changes the hip angle and provides some pressure relief, but shearing forces may remain on the back. A tilt-in-space chair both tilts the head back and raises the feet up concurrently, thereby providing more pressure relief and less shearing forces.

Research has found that wheelchairs with tilt-in-space and recline mechanisms positively decrease sitting interface pressure and increase ischial blood flow. The bulk of the patient is moved from the seat of the wheelchair and is supported by the backrest. The degree to which this happens is proportionate to the tilt-and-recline angle of the wheelchair. Data suggest that even a small amount of tilt-and-recline angle can result in pressure relief to the tissues. However, meaningful increases in ischial bold flow were found only at greater angles of tilt-and-recline. At this time, there is no clear agreement on the period of time that tilt-and-recline should be done in order to effectively prevent pressure injury (Zemp et al., 2019).

General recommendations for the chair-bound patient include:

• Stand the patient and reseat them in the chair frequently, if possible.
• Provide adequate seat tilt to prevent sliding forward in the chair and adjust footrests and armrests to maintain proper posture and pressure redistribution.
• Elevate the legs or place the feet on a stool if the feet do not reach the floor in such a way as to slightly tilt the pelvis forward by positioning the thighs slightly lower than horizontally. This will prevent sliding forward out of the chair and reduce pressure on the sacrum.
• Elevate the feet and recline the chair by 30 degrees to reduce pressure.
• If the patient can change their own position, encourage pressure relief every 15 minutes. This includes chair pushups, leaning forward, leaning side to side, or tilting backwards. Leaning forward is the most effective and might be easier than chair push-ups.
• Acutely ill patients at risk for pressure injuries should not sit for longer than two hours at a time and not return to sitting for at least an hour.
• Patients who are incapable of changing their position while sitting should be repositioned at least every hour by a caregiver.
  (EPUAP/NPIAP/PPPIA, 2019)

For a patient with an existing pressure injury:

• Minimize sitting time and consult a seating specialist if the injury worsens on the seating surface selected.
• Consider periods of bed rest to promote ischial and sacral pressure injury healing.
• Avoid sitting a patient with an ischial pressure injury in a fully erect posture.
• Patients with existing pressure injuries on the ischial areas should limit time sitting up in the chair to three times a day for 60 minutes or less, and they must use a cushion (gel or air cushions are best) that redistributes pressure.
  (WOCN, 2022a)

A Cochrane review of literature found no studies that examine the effectiveness of pressure-redistributing static chairs in the prevention and treatment of pressure injuries. Pressure-redistributing static chairs encompass a range of products, from hospital chairs to those with integrated pressure-redistributing surfaces and tilt functions. The authors of the study noted this as a “priority area” for research (Stephens, 2022).

PATIENTS WHO ARE UNABLE TO MAINTAIN REPOSITIONING

Some patients are unable to maintain position changes, such as patients with dementia or delirium. Since delirium diminishes a patient’s ability to recognize pressure and discomfort, it is recognized as a potential risk factor for pressure injury development. Delirium has been found to affect up to 50% of hospitalized older adults, depending on the healthcare setting and pre-existing conditions (WOCN, 2022a).

Since delirium is reversible, every effort must be made to find the underlying cause, the most prevalent being:

• Pre-existing dementia
• Postoperative delirium
• Medications
• Dehydration and electrolyte disturbances
• Infection (e.g., urinary tract infection)
• Reduced sensory input
  (WOCN, 2022a; Health in Aging, 2020)

Around 5%–8% of all persons over the age of 65 years suffer from some type of dementia. Beyond this age, the number of those with dementia doubles every five years. It is projected that close to half of those 85 years and older have some form of dementia, which places them at a significantly high risk for pressure injury development (Cleveland Clinic, 2023).

Each patient will have different risk factors for pressure injury, and each plan of care must be individualized. Pressure injury prevention for confused patients requires a holistic approach. Interventions include:

• Assessing whether the patient’s position looks comfortable:
• Is the patient’s shoulder jammed against the bed?
• Is the side-lying position more than 30 degrees?
• Is the sheet under the patient wrinkle-free and free from debris such as crumbs?
• Placing the patient in a quiet environment
• Minimizing bright lights
• Controlling the temperature
• Promoting rest and comfort (e.g., is the patient hungry, thirsty, in pain, or in need of toileting?)
  (WOCN, 2022a; Vasquez, 2022)

PATIENTS WHO REFUSE CARE

Some patients may refuse care, refuse to be repositioned, refuse to use a pressure-relieving cushion in their chair, or refuse to participate in PT or OT. The first and most important action by the clinician is communication: Why is the patient refusing care?

• Is it related to their diagnosis, for example, a traumatic injury such a spinal cord injury, a chronic condition such as rheumatoid arthritis, or a condition with an uncertain progression, such as multiple sclerosis?
• Is the patient exhibiting signs and symptoms of depression, such as irritability, fatigue, or hopelessness?
• Is a referral to a mental healthcare professional needed?

Open, honest communication with the patient and, if appropriate, their caretakers should address the importance of pressure injury prevention and the consequences of not implementing recommended interventions. When discussing potential complications of refusing care, clinicians must be candid and accurate in their descriptions of the complications so that the patient is left in no doubt about the seriousness of the decision they are making in refusing care and to protect the facility and clinicians against liability and future legal action.

Full, accurate, and objective documentation in the patient’s record is essential. The medical record must show:

• Education provided to the patient
• Frequency of patient education
• Consistent approach among clinicians
• Other interventions, such as involvement of the facility’s ethics committee
  (Pirotte, 2022)

It is the patient’s right to refuse care, but clinicians must ensure that facility policies and procedures are followed and that the patient is afforded every option to receive care.

Strategies clinicians can employ when treating patients who refuse care include:

• Empathize with the patient. Allow them to verbalize their feelings about their injury or condition. Remember that a loss of control in one’s life is frightening to everyone. Be a good listener.
• Avoid dictating and assuming control. Rather than telling the patient they are going to be repositioned, ask them if they would be more comfortable receiving help to change position themself.
• Look for the root cause of why the patient is refusing care. Remember that in the majority of cases there is a reason why the patient is not compliant with care.
• Ask the patient if there is anyone they would like to talk to, such as a close friend, a spiritual advisor, or someone who has had a similar traumatic injury.
• As a clinician, do not take the patient’s refusal of care personally. Do not allow personal emotions to interfere with patient interactions.
• Aim for small steps. If the patient will agree to a pressure-relieving cushion in a chair, it is a step in the right direction.
• Continue to educate the patient about why pressure relief is important.
• Remember that the patient is the primary member in the care team and continue to elicit their input on care.
• Remain friendly and caring in word and action; it is a known fact that patients cooperate more readily with clinicians they like.
  (James, 2023; Bennett, 2020)

Using Support Surfaces

Factors in the development of pressure injuries include prolonged pressure, friction/shear, and moist, warm skin. Each of these factors can be at least partially controlled by an appropriate surface for the bed and/or chair. A support surface is a specialized mattress or mattress overlay, chair cushion, or stretcher/operating room pad designed for the management of pressure loads and microclimate. (Microclimate is the term used to describe the local tissue temperature and moisture at the body/support interface, and microclimate control is a function of some support surfaces.) (See also “Emerging Therapies” later in this course.)

Pressure redistribution is the most important feature of a support surface. The body’s tissues can withstand higher loads of pressure for short periods of time and lower loads for longer periods of time. A surface that effectively redistributes pressure across the entire body (contact) surface effectively reduces the amount of pressure and extends the time a patient can safely remain in one position (WOCN, 2016b; EPUAP/NPIAP/PPPIA, 2019).

It is critical to remember, however, that there is no mattress, cushion, or bed available today, at any price, that will eliminate pressure and relieve the clinician or caregiver from having to reposition the patient. Patients must still be repositioned no matter what surface is used. Likewise, pressure is not the only contributing factor to skin breakdown and does not replace attention to perfusion, nutritional support, and management of comorbidities (WOCN, 2022a).

IMMERSION, ENVELOPMENT, AND BOTTOMING OUT

In order to redistribute pressure, a support surface must conform to the contours of the body through immersion and envelopment. Immersion is the depth to which the body “sinks into” the surface. As the body does this, the pressure is spread out along the body surface. Immersion is dependent on the stiffness and thickness of the support surface and the flexibility of its cover.

Envelopment is the ability of the support surface to conform to irregularities such as clothing, bedding, and bony prominences without causing substantial increase in pressure. This maximizes pressure redistribution.

In contrast to the functions of immersion and envelopment, the term bottoming out is used to indicate excessive penetration of the surface, meaning the body sinks so deeply into the surface that its bony prominences are actually resting on the underlying bed frame. Factors that contribute to bottoming out include:

• Patient weight that exceeds the support surface’s limits
• A disproportion between weight and size, such as in a patient with bilateral leg amputations, which results in more of the body weight being concentrated in the trunk
• Consistently keeping the head of the bed over 30 degrees
• Inadequate support settings such as under- or overinflation

For some support surfaces, bottoming out can be evaluated by placing one’s hand palm-up beneath the support surface in the area underlying the patient’s bony prominence. If the patient’s bony prominence can be felt by the hand, then the support surface is not supporting the patient properly. However, many support surfaces cannot be assessed this way; the clinician must contact the equipment department of the facility or the supplier or manufacturer of the support surface for information on how to assess the functioning of the support surface.

COMPONENTS OF A SUPPORT SURFACE

The most important component of a support surface is the medium used to provide the pressure redistribution. This can be air, fluid, or solid, alone or in combination.

Foam is a solid material and is available in all configurations. Foam surfaces are generally low-cost and lightweight and require minimal maintenance. Disadvantages include the fact that foam does not last long since it compresses over time; it absorbs moisture (which can be a potential for infection); and it is hard to dispose of. Closed-cell foam does not allow air through, which can increase skin temperature, while open-cell foam does allow air to enter and exit, making it more conformable to the body. One type of open-cell foam is memory foam. If a foam pad is used on top of a mattress (known as an overlay) to redistribute pressure, it needs to be at least three inches thick.

Gel pads contain a mix of substances that allow them to respond like memory foam. They are good at preventing shear, but they can result in increased skin moisture.

Fluid support surfaces include a viscous substance that is thick but free-flowing, which allows it to redistribute weight. Water-filled surfaces reduce pressure better than a standard mattress but are undesirable for use in a hospital due to multiple concerns, such as temperature control, leakage, difficulty with transfers, performance of CPR, and the time and labor involved in draining the mattress and moving the bed.

Air is frequently used in support surfaces; however air-filled surfaces have the potential to leak if damaged and require either periodic manual reinflation (if nonpowered) or an electric pump to remain inflated. Studies show that low–air loss surfaces prevent the accumulation of moisture and resultant skin maceration (Baranoski & Ayello, 2020; EPUAP/NPIAP/PPPIA, 2019).

Some support surfaces have low-friction covers (e.g., Gore-Tex) to reduce friction so that the skin slides more easily over the surface without putting strain on the skin that could cause damage. However, even these support surfaces cannot provide total prevention against the shearing that occurs when the patient slides down in bed when the head is raised; other interventions are needed to prevent that (WOCN, 2022a; McNichol 2020).

CATEGORIES OF SUPPORT SURFACES

Support surfaces are commonly used in a variety of applications:

• Mattresses and mattress overlays
• Operating room bed surfaces
• Examination and procedure table surfaces
• Pads for emergency and transport stretchers or gurneys

General categories of support surfaces include mattresses, overlays, and integrated bed systems. Specific features include cushions and pads. They may be powered or nonpowered, or active or reactive. Added features may include low–air loss, air-fluidization, lateral rotation, and alternating pressure (see below).

Rings, foam cutouts, or donuts under the patient should not be used as support surfaces, as these concentrate pressure on surrounding tissue, causing swelling and decreasing circulation. The fact that they can be found in medical supply stores does not mean they are safe to use.

With the use of any support surface, the number of linens and other items used under the patient must be kept at a minimum or the pressure-reducing ability of the surface will be altered significantly. Staff, patients, and family members must be instructed to use no more than two items between the patient and the surface (e.g., one pull sheet and one incontinence pad or product).

General Categories

Mattresses can be composed of any medium or a combination, and may require a specialized bed frame. They create much less risk of bottoming out and can provide other therapeutic functions such as reduced friction and shear and improved microclimate management between the patient’s skin and the surface.

Overlays can be composed of any medium and are placed on top of an existing mattress. They are thinner than mattresses, putting the patient at risk for bottoming out. They may also include other drawbacks, such as elevating the height of the sleep surface, complicating patient transfers, altering the fit of linens, and increasing the risk of falls or entrapments.

Integrated bed systems are composed of the support surface and bed frame combined into a single unit. Their advantage is that the frame may include many features to make the bed easier and safer to use, such as alarms, scales, and the ability to support more weight.

Specific Categories

Procedure, transport, ER, and OR mattresses are used for patients who require a support surface in bed, since this means they also need one while on gurneys or tables. Many companies provide pressure redistribution pads for surfaces other than beds.

Chair cushions are utilized for patients who sit for a long time in order to reduce the risk of ischial pressure injuries. These cushions must be matched to the patient based on size, posture, mobility, and lifestyle needs. Some cushions include covers that can dissipate heat, while some specialized wheelchair cushions also address incontinence.

Active surfaces can be either a powered mattress or an overlay that changes its load distribution whether or not someone is on the surface (called alternating pressure). The air cells in such surfaces cyclically inflate and deflate, which changes the areas of the body under pressure. These are recommended for patients at high risk and for whom frequent manual repositioning is not possible.

Reactive surfaces move only in response to the patient’s body. These can be powered or nonpowered (nonpowered also being referred to as static air surfaces). These are low-tech, compact, and light-weight. They are available as chair cushions, overlays, mattresses, and procedure pads. All reactive support surfaces are appropriate for pressure injury prevention in patients who are frequently repositioned. Some are appropriate for patients with existing pressure injuries.

A review of Cochrane data undertaken in 2019 indicated that using reactive air surfaces may lessen the possibility of pressure injury occurrence when compared to the use of foam surfaces. When looking at time-to-event outcomes, the review also found that in nursing home environments, the use of reactive air surfaces may diminish the risk of pressure injury development within a 14-day timeframe compared with active air surfaces. However, current evidence on the effectiveness of reactive air surfaces compared to other forms of pressure relief surfaces remains uncertain (Shi, 2021).

Low–air loss surfaces have a pump that provides a slow, continuous airflow into the mattress for even pressure distribution and continuous airflow across the skin for microclimate management. The amount of pressure in the mattress can be adjusted for the height and weight of the patient, and the mattress further adjusts when a patient sits up in bed to prevent bottoming out. Controls allow instant deflation for CPR. These surfaces cannot be used on patients with unstable spines.

Air-fluidized surfaces contain silicone-coated beads that provide both air and fluid support. When air is pumped through the beads, the beads behave like a liquid and the patient floats, with two thirds of the body immersed in the warm, dry beads. When the bed is turned off, it becomes hard enough for repositioning or CPR. Some beds now combine air-fluidized therapy in the lower half of the bed and low air loss in the upper half, allowing the bed to be adjustable. This is a very expensive therapy and should only be used for patients who require very high-level care such as those with multiple wounds or flap procedures (a surgical procedure to close a pressure injury). The beds are also extremely heavy and may not be safe in a home.

Lateral rotation is used to prevent and treat certain cardiopulmonary conditions. With this feature, the patient is continually rotated from side to side. While some low–air loss beds may incorporate lateral rotation, this does not eliminate the need for routine manual repositioning. This is because when the bed turns the patient, the patient’s skin and tissues never leave the surface of the bed, and thus pressure is not relieved (WOCN, 2022a; Baranoski & Ayello, 2020).

CHOOSING A SURFACE

A support surface must be selected to meet the patient’s needs for pressure redistribution based on the following factors:

• Level of immobility and inactivity
• Need for microclimate control (see below) and shear reduction
• Size and weight of the patient
• Risk for development of new pressure injuries
• Number, severity, and location of existing pressure injuries
  (WOCN, 2022a; EPUAP/NPIAP/PPPIA, 2019; Baranoski & Ayello, 2020)

Other factors to consider include:

• Fall and entrapment risk (overlays and mattresses can increase the height of the sleep surface)
• In a patient who is a candidate for progressive mobility, a surface that makes it easier to get out of bed
• Compatibility of the surface with the care setting
• Availability of the product
• Previous support surface usage and patient preference
• Achievement of specific outcomes (i.e., prevention of pressure injury)
  (WOCN, 2022a; EPUAP/NPIAP/PPPIA, 2019; Baranoski & Ayello, 2020)

Determining the appropriate support surface is based first on the patient’s condition and the healthcare setting. Overall, if the patient is able to be turned and has at least two intact turning surfaces, meaning the skin is intact on two sides of the body (e.g., the right and left trochanters), then a mattress overlay or an alternating pressure pad can be used over a regular mattress. If the patient has skin breakdown on more than one side of the body, then a mattress replacement should be used. Depending on the healthcare setting, patients who already have stage 3 or 4 pressure injuries on their trunks qualify for a mattress replacement.

Cost and product availability are secondary considerations in choosing a surface. The healthcare setting will also determine the product used. For instance, in the home setting, the weight of the bed, the structure of the home, the width of the doors, and the availability of uninterrupted electrical power will have a major impact on the support surface available for use. A patient’s health insurance may be a significant determining factor as to which surface will be available to the patient.

In general, a standard hospital mattress should not be used with at-risk patients. It is important to contact the medical equipment department to determine what is available for pressure reduction (WOCN, 2022a).

Microclimate Control

Microclimate is the term used to describe the local tissue temperature and moisture at the body/support interface, and microclimate control is a function of some support surfaces. This feature can be of benefit to patients who are diaphoretic (sweat heavily) or with elevated temperatures and perspiration, since they are at increased risk for developing pressure injuries. For instance, older adult patients have a reduced ability to dissipate excess heat, resulting in skin warming. High levels of moisture from perspiration, incontinence, or drainage result in maceration, which reduces skin strength and increases damage caused by friction (WOCN, 2022a; EPUAP/NPIAP/PPPIA, 2019; Baranoski & Ayello 2020).

The need for moisture and temperature control is considered when selecting a support surface. A support surface with microclimate control can help maintain normal skin hydration and temperature through the use of porous covers that promote air transfer between the skin and surface, which results in the decrease of moisture and body heat. Other surfaces pump air through microperforations in the support cover to decrease moisture and heat (WOCN, 2022a).

Fabrics

Silk-like fabrics rather than cotton or cotton-blend fabrics can be used to reduce friction and shear. Research has shown that the use of silk-like fabric undergarments, booties, and linen (alone or in combination) significantly reduces the incidence of pressure injury development and reduces the deterioration of existing pressure injuries (EPUAP/NPIAP/PPPIA, 2019).

A study conducted with 112 residents over 65 years of age in a care facility demonstrated the benefits of using a “breathable,” silk-like, three-layer ventilating mattress sheet. The residents in the sample were all deemed at high risk for pressure injury occurrence, were on pressure-reducing surfaces covered with a cotton sheet, and were unable to change position independent of staff. At the end of the 12-week study, almost 70% of the subjects were able to complete independent position changes in bed. There was also a significant reduction in pressure injury occurrence compared to residents who were placed on cotton sheets.

There is a high friction coefficient with cotton sheets, which makes repositioning difficult for patients and requires staff assistance. An advantage of the three-layer ventilating mattress sheet is its reduced friction coefficient compared to its cotton counterpart, resulting in less effort needed to make position changes. Combining the lower friction coefficient with therapy to increase muscle strength and improve coordination increases patient ability to perform self-repositioning. This in turn decreases the risk for pressure injury development and decreases staff workload (Van Leen, 2022).

Patient Size and Weight

The support surface chosen must be approved for the patient’s body size and weight. Most conventional support surfaces are for patients who weigh 300 pounds or less. If the patient weighs more than this, then a bariatric mattress and frame must be used.

Even in patients who weigh less than the weight limit, where their weight is concentrated may make a difference in the mattress needed. The mattress may not be able to support the patient when the body weight is not evenly distributed. For instance, a paralyzed patient or an amputee may weigh under the limit, but most of the weight will be concentrated in the trunk. If it looks as though the patient is lying or sitting in a “well,” the surface may not be able to support the patient’s weight.

In the event a surface does not appear to be supporting a patient’s weight—and provided the support surface is the correct one—it is important to check for any disconnected hoses or improper machine settings. It may also be necessary to contact the appropriate hospital department, supplier, or manufacturer to have the support surface inspected as needed. It is also important to ensure that all staff caring for the patient are aware of the features of the support system (EPUAP/NPIAP/PPPIA, 2019; WOCN, 2022a; Baranoski & Ayello, 2020).

Managing Moisture

Moisture can lead to skin damage of various types. Incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD) is the most common form of moisture-associated skin damage and is frequently misidentified as a pressure injury. While they are not the same thing, preventing IAD can also help to prevent the formation of pressure injuries.

TYPES OF SKIN DAMAGE DUE TO MOISTURE

Moisture-associated skin damage (MASD) is defined as inflammation and erosion of skin caused by prolonged exposure to various sources of moisture, including urine or stool, perspiration, wound exudate, mucus, or saliva. The four forms of MASD are:

• Incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD)
• Intertriginous dermatitis (ITD)
• Periwound moisture-associated skin damage
• Peristomal moisture-associated skin damage
  (WOCN, 2022a; EPUAP/NPIAP/PPPIA, 2019)

Incontinence-associated dermatitis due to urinary incontinence may involve the perineum and the area between the vulva and scrotum or anus. IAD due to fecal incontinence may involve the anus, buttocks, coccyx, perigenital areas, groin folds, and posterior thigh regions. Its characteristics are moist, bright-red skin, inflammation, denudement (skin stripped raw), erosion, and blisters. The damage is usually superficial but can progress to full-thickness lesions. The patient will complain of burning, pain, and itching.

Moisture alone causes maceration, but acute inflammation and skin loss are due to a combination of maceration and some other source of injury, such as a chemical irritant, friction, or pathogenic invasion. Wet skin loses strength and is more prone to damage from friction and shearing. It allows irritants to penetrate the epidermal layers of skin, which then allows common pathogens such as Candida and Staphylococcus to enter (WOCN, 2022a).

Skin injury by friction appears as redness and progresses to abrasion. It occurs when skin is rubbed vigorously during cleaning or when skin rubs against incontinence garments or bed or chair surfaces. Areas of skin rubbing against each other cause “kissing” lesions such as are seen between the buttocks cheeks.

Mechanical damage (friction) abrades and disrupts the skin from the “top down,” whereas pressure and shear cause blood vessel compression and ischemic damage from the “bottom up.” Determining the cause of the lesion—and distinguishing between IAD and a pressure injury—includes an assessment of the location, characteristics, and most importantly, the patient’s history.

DISTINGUISHING TYPES OF DAMAGE DUE TO MOISTURE

	Friction (top down)	IAD (top down)	Pressure/Shear (bottom up)
(WOCN, 2022a)
Location	Fleshy surfaces exposed to repetitive rubbing	Perineal area, inner thighs, buttocks	Bony prominences, under medical devices
Depth	Superficial	Superficial	Full thickness
Characteristics	Pink/red wounds without necrosis	Edges indistinct, fungal rashes common, pink/red wounds without necrosis	Well-defined lesions, tunneling and undermining, tissue necrosis
History	Restlessness, frequent sliding, malnourished, diaphoretic, on steroids	Prolonged or recurrent exposure to urine and/or stool	Prolonged immobility, sliding, use of medical device at site of damage

MANAGING INCONTINENCE

It is important to cleanse skin gently with a pH-balanced cleanser at each incidence of soiling. Perineal skin cleansers are more effective for prevention and treatment of IAD than traditional soap and water. This is because bar soap, which is alkaline and very drying, disrupts the skin’s protective abilities. Vigorous cleaning, as well as the use of rough washcloths, can also lead to skin erosion. Soft, disposable cloths are easier on the skin. Fragrance or alcohol are irritants, and cleaning products containing these are to be avoided. Some facilities use no-rinse foams, which are another good option.

An incontinence skin barrier product should be used to protect the skin after cleansing. Products such as creams, ointments, pastes, or those that form a film on the skin are all useful. Protective products with dimethicone, petroleum, or zinc oxide are recommended for patients with fecal incontinence or both urinary and fecal incontinence to protect against IAD. Several manufacturers offer products that both clean and protect, saving time for the caregiver and increasing the likelihood that perineal care will be performed.

Absorbent underpads or incontinence briefs are chosen to wick moisture away from the skin instead of trapping the moisture against the skin. However, all briefs increase moisture at the perineal region because they are occlusive and do not “breathe.” This creates warmth near the skin that, when combined with moisture, ammonia, and enzymes, increases skin breakdown. There is an increased risk with the use of briefs because they may not be changed as often as they should be due to the difficulty in seeing when a patient has voided. Briefs are not recommended for fecal incontinence because they can trap stool against the skin.

Many hospitals have moved away from using briefs except when a patient is ambulating or going off the unit. Instead, they use underpads that are especially designed to keep the skin dry and breathable and do not allow heat or moisture to be trapped against the skin.

A toileting program can also decrease incontinence and thus IAD. In situations where the severity of urinary incontinence has contributed to or may contaminate an existing pressure injury, placing a urinary catheter may be indicated (WOCN, 2022b).

Much attention has been paid to infections related to the use of indwelling catheters, particularly since 2008, when the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services changed reimbursement regulations, calling catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) “preventable harm” and withholding payment for additional costs related to CAUTI treatment (WOCN, 2022b). Significant bacterial colonization occurs within a few days of catheter insertion, which can lead to infection. The prevention of CAUTI begins with the decision to not insert a catheter.

The CDC has developed guidelines for the appropriate use of indwelling catheters, as follows:

• To manage urinary retention or bladder outlet obstruction
• To provide accurate urine output measurements
• To manage bladder short term following select surgical procedures
• To assist in the healing of perineal wounds at risk of contamination by urine
• To improve comfort at end of life
  (WOCN, 2022b)

Therefore, incontinence is not a valid reason for insertion of an indwelling catheter to replace alternative means of care for the incontinent patient. It can be used in the treatment of a wound but not in prevention, since the risk of CAUTI is too high (WOCN, 2022b).

TYPES OF URINARY INCONTINENCE

Type	Description	Causes/Associated Factors
(WOCN, 2022b)
Urge incontinence	Involuntary loss of urine with an abrupt strong need to void; occurs with the involuntary contractions of the detrusor muscle or uncontrolled urethral relaxation	Associated neurological disorders include stroke, paraplegia, multiple sclerosis, Parkinsonism, or dementia.
Stress incontinence	Involuntary leakage of small amounts of urine with a rise in intra-abdominal pressure that occurs during coughing, sneezing, laughing, and physical activity	Often seen in women; causes include estrogen deficiency, weakness in pelvic floor musculature, urethral sphincter weakness, childbirth, and obesity.
Functional incontinence	Having a functional urinary tract but unable or unwilling to get to the toilet to urinate	Often occurs in older adults; contributing factors include use of physical restraints, musculoskeletal dysfunction, unavailability of a urinal, visual impairment, impaired mobility, cognitive deficits, unfamiliarity of environment, and psychosocial difficulties.
Overflow incontinence	Involuntary loss of urine secondary to overdistension of the bladder; results in the leakage of small amounts of urine due to an outflow obstruction or a hypotonic bladder	Common causes include medications, neurological conditions such as diabetic neuropathy or spinal cord injury, prostate enlargement, detrusor weakness, or urethra stricture.
Mixed incontinence	Combination of other types of urinary incontinence, typically urge and stress incontinence	Common in older adults.

TREATING FECAL INCONTINENCE

Fecal incontinence occurs when structures controlling defecation do not function correctly, usually because of diarrhea, trauma to the structures, or nerve damage.

• Causes of diarrhea include anything that increases gut motility or decreases water absorption, including medications, certain foods, and diseases that cause intestinal inflammation.
• Trauma to the structures includes scarring from chronic inflammation (as in irritable bowel syndrome), radiation, surgery, and childbirth.
• Nerve damage can also be the result of childbirth or of spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, and diabetic neuropathy.

Those with cognitive difficulties may not perceive the need to defecate. Patients with fecal incontinence are referred to a specialist for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

When the underlying cause cannot be treated, regulation of bowel function by promoting ideal stool consistency can lead to few or no periods of incontinence. Modifying the diet can help, as certain foods can exacerbate fecal incontinence, such as alcohol, caffeine, fruit, gas-producing foods, sugar-free products that contain sorbitol, and dairy products for those who are lactose-intolerant. Dietary fiber adds bulk and can improve passage of stool.

Adequate fluid intake is essential because dietary fiber pulls water into the feces, and without adequate water, the patient will have very dry stools that are difficult to pass.

Emptying the bowel at regular intervals through timed toileting, digital stimulation, or use of suppositories prevents incontinence because an empty rectum will not leak.

Incontinence containment products are useful in community settings, but a plan for skin protection must be in place. In hospital settings, fecal management systems can be used. A colostomy is also an option if everything else has failed and quality of life is severely restricted due to fecal incontinence (WOCN, 2022b).

Managing Nutrition

Malnutrition is associated with overall morbidity and mortality. Assessing the patient’s nutritional status must be part of the total assessment for pressure injury risk. A nutrition assessment should be performed upon admission and whenever there is a change in the patient’s condition that puts them at risk for malnutrition.

Malnutrition places patients at greater risk for developing pressure injury. Malnutrition is defined as the presence of two or more of the following characteristics:

• Unintended weight loss
• Loss of muscle mass
• Loss of subcutaneous tissue
• Localized or generalized fluid accumulation
• Decreased functional status

A low body mass index (BMI) is a factor related to pressure injury development. With a low BMI due to poor nutritional intake, there is a diminished quantity of subcutaneous tissue and decreased protection of the skin. Studies show that the probability of pressure injury development is higher among underweight patients. A study found that almost 1 in 5 patients with a BMI less than 18.5 kg/m² developed a pressure injury. For patients with obesity, research shows that those with a higher BMI (60 kg/m² and above) have the greatest risk for pressure injury (VanGilder, 2021).

The patient is monitored for signs of dehydration, such as decreased skin turgor and/or urine output or elevated serum sodium. Serum protein tests, such as for albumin and pre-albumin, may be affected by inflammation, renal function, and hydration and may therefore not correspond with overall nutritional status. Thus, laboratory tests are considered as only one part of the nutritional assessment.

Recent weight loss in older adults is a key factor in mortality risk. The “anorexia of aging”—which includes appetite decline, weight loss, and decreased metabolic rate—places the older adult at risk for malnutrition. While unintended weight loss is a risk factor for malnutrition, bariatric adults may also be poorly nourished (Cox, 2020).

The following are dietary recommendations for those who are at risk for pressure injury or have an existing pressure injury and who are at risk for malnutrition:

• Calorie intake of 30–35 kcal per kg of body weight
• Protein intake of 1.25–1.5 g protein per kg of body weight
• High-calorie, high-protein oral nutrition supplements (ONSs) containing arginine (an amino acid) and vitamins and minerals when nutritional needs cannot be met with dietary intake
• Adequate daily fluid intake

Renal function is also assessed to ensure that high levels of protein are appropriate for the patient (EPUAP/NPIAP/PPPIA, 2019; WOCN, 2022a; Baranoski & Ayello, 2020).

Any patient with nutritional and pressure injury risks, suspected or identified nutritional deficiencies, or a need for nutritional supplementation to prevent undernutrition should be referred to a registered dietitian. Any patient with a pressure injury should be referred to the dietitian as well (WOCN, 2022a).

PREVENTING PRESSURE INJURY IN SPECIAL POPULATIONS

Patients with Medical Devices

With the recognition that the use of medical devices can contribute to pressure injury formation, NPIAP has also developed “Best Practices for Prevention of Medical Device-Related Pressure Injuries (MDRPI)” (EPUAP/NPIAP/PPPIA, 2019; WOCN, 2022a). These include:

• Choose the correct size of medical devices to fit the individual.
• Cushion and protect the skin with dressings in high-risk areas (e.g., nasal bridge).
• Remove or move the device daily to assess skin.
• Avoid placement of devices over sites of prior or existing pressure injury.
• Educate staff and caregivers on correct use of devices and prevention of pressure injury.
• Be aware of edema under devices and the potential for pressure injury.
• Confirm that devices are not placed directly under an individual who is bedridden or immobile.
• Ensure that all members of the patient care team, particularly respiratory therapy, are involved in the plan for reduction of MDRPI.
  (WOCN, 2022a; Baranoski & Ayello, 2020)

Bariatric Patients

Pressure injury prevention and treatment for bariatric patients is similar to that for nonbariatric patients. However, it is also more challenging for a number of reasons:

• The bariatric patient has increased difficulty moving, either independently or with assistance.
• Increased body weight makes it difficult to view bony prominences and to redistribute pressure.
• Shear and friction are often increased, as the patient is inclined to drag the heels and sacrum when getting out of bed.
• The increased pressure on the bowel and bladder from abdominal weight increases the risk of stress incontinence and diaphoresis, which increases the risk of skin maceration.
• Obesity can compromise respiration due to impaired diaphragmatic movement and lead to subsequent impaired tissue perfusion.
• Pressure injuries develop over bony prominences but may also result from tissue pressure across the buttocks and other areas of high adipose tissue concentration. They may develop in unique locations, such as underneath folds of skin and in locations where devices may have been compressed between skin folds.
• The weight of the pannus (the skin “apron”) can cause pressure injuries to develop in areas such as the hip, thighs, trunk, and torso.
• Skin must be checked for maceration, which is common due to increased diaphoresis.
• Additional positioning devices may be needed to offload the pannus or other large skin folds.
• Infection and delayed healing are more common.
• Deeper tissue layers can impede assessment of cavity wounds and increase the risk of retained wound dressings.
• Equipment must be provided that is the appropriate size, and great care taken that neither the patient nor the staff are injured during the provision of care.
• Bariatric patients appear to be at higher risk for medical device–related pressure injuries.
• Bariatric patients may be more susceptible to deep tissue injury.
  (EPUAP/NPIAP/PPPIA, 2019; Baranoski & Ayello, 2020; WOCN, 2022a)

Pediatric Patients

There is growing awareness that pressure injuries can be the basis of illness, suffering, and increased cost of care in the pediatric population. A study assessing neonatal ICU patients found that almost 80% of pressure injury present was device-related and that over 90% of MDRPI developed in premature infants. Another study found that 35% of pressure injuries resulted from tracheostomy fixation devices. Pressure injury can occur directly under the tracheostomy tube or at different location under the ties used to secure the tube in place (Delmore et al., 2019; Odom et al., 2020).

Examples of pediatric pressure injury risk assessment tools include the Braden Q and the Pediatric Pressure Ulcer Prediction and Evaluation Tool (PPUPET). The Braden QD scale incorporates the five subsets of the Braden Q scale along with the inclusion of two new subsets: the number of medical devices in use and patient repositionability/skin protection (Curley et al., 2018).

Several factors are associated with pediatric pressure injury development:

• Low birth weight
• Skin texture (e.g., neonatal skin is very thin)
• Incubator temperature and humidity
• Support surface used
• Limited position changes
• Endotracheal intubation
• Incontinence
• Poor tissue perfusion
• Fever
• Larger head proportion to the body, putting the occiput at high risk for pressure injury development

Consider children with medical devices to be at greater risk for pressure injuries. At particularly high risk are those with mechanical ventilation, including tracheostomies, CPAP or BiPAP, and ECMO. Increased temperatures, moisture, and humidity under medical devices and their securement can greatly increase the risk for pressure injury in pediatric patients. Proactive, preventive care should be the primary goal for clinicians, and the use of absorptive dressings under medical devices should be used whenever feasible (Boyar, 2019b).

Risk for MDRPI is also associated with the frequent use of noninvasive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) with pediatric patients in the management of respiratory distress, preservation of lung volume, and enhanced gas exchange. When the securement straps are too loose, there is a high risk for friction and shear injuries caused by the mask rubbing against the patient’s skin. Several studies indicate that when the patient mask leakage amount is between 25 and 55 liters per minute, this provides the optimum effectiveness of NIPPV treatment while preserving patient skin integrity and reducing MDRPI. Further large-scale studies are needed to validate this strategy (Lauderbaugh, 2022).

Many pediatric patients with MDRPI are younger, with premature infants being particularly vulnerable. One of the major reasons for this vulnerability is immature skin, with neonates and infants under 2 years of age at the highest risk level. Neonates have a much thinner stratum corneum, which is the outermost layer of the epidermis, compared to full-term infants. For neonates less than 24 weeks of gestational age, the stratum corneum may be almost completely absent. Another factor that predisposes the premature skin of pediatric patients to pressure injury is the reduced interconnection between the epidermal and dermal layers of the skin. This places the premature skin of neonates at greater risk for damage associated with friction (Delmore et al., 2019).

There is limited information available on healing times for pressure injuries in the pediatric population. One small study that included pediatric patients with pressure injuries at stages 2 to 4 demonstrated an average healing time of 13 days. However, more detailed research needs to be done in this area, taking into consideration the gestational age of the infants and comorbidities. A retrospective study done at Arkansas Children’s Hospital found that the use of a foam dressing and wound-filler silver product during the first 14 days of treatment assisted with healing of tracheostomy-related pressure injuries (Odom et al., 2020).

Immobility-related pressure injury is another major area of concern in the pediatric population. The occipital region is the area most often affected by immobility-related injuries especially in infants from birth to 3 years of age. In infants, the head encompasses a higher percentage of body weight and surface area, and when the pediatric patient is lying supine, the occipital area is the main pressure point and at substantial risk for pressure injury (Bryant & Ayello, 2020).

Currently there are no guidelines proposing the use of a specific type of pressure redistribution surface for patients in neo-intensive care units. A recent study found that most patients in neonatal units are placed on standard mattresses with rolled blankets and soft repositioning devices used to provide pressure off-loading (Razmus, 2021).

As in adults, assessment and monitoring, involvement of the family, nutritional management, support surfaces, and repositioning are important. Wound care strategies and dressing selections must be taken with great care, as baby skin is more permeable and more fragile than adult skin, with the result that products commonly used on adults may not be appropriate for children, such as skin preps, barrier products, antimicrobials, and adhesives. Wound care product choices should be discussed with pediatric specialists (EPUAP/NPIAP/PPPIA, 2019).

Spinal Cord Injury Patients

The development of pressure injury is of special concern to individuals with spinal cord injury. Pressure injury is the second most frequently occurring medical complication among those with spinal cord injury. Data demonstrate that >95% of adults with spinal cord injury will develop one or more pressure injuries during their lives. Lack of mobility and paralysis are key factors in pressure injury occurrence; the greater the level of paralysis, the greater the risk for the development of pressure injury.

In a study of community-dwelling individuals with spinal cord injury, it was found that those with spinal cord injury at the cervical level had a higher risk of developing a pressure injury compared to those with a spinal cord injury at the lumbar level (Cowan et al., 2019).

In another study of individuals with spinal cord injury living in long-term care facilities, researchers found a higher incidence of pressure injury in patients who were paraplegic than those who were tetraplegic. This may be because patients who are tetraplegic require total care from the facility staff, whereas patients who are paraplegic have more responsibility for making position shifts aimed at relieving pressure, especially when sitting. Another finding was a greater risk for malnutrition in patients with paraplegia compared to those with quadriplegia, perhaps due to a greater calorie use in paraplegic patients due to upper body mobility and potential unaddressed difficulties with independent feeding in this group.

Recommendations include the implementation of greater preventive measures among long-term care patients who are paraplegic to prevent pressure injury. Specific suggestions include closer and more consistent monitoring of this high-risk population, better utilization of assistive technology, and increased patient motivation and education regarding pressure injury prevention (Cowan et al., 2019; Baranoski & Ayello, 2020; WOCN, 2022a).

Pressure Injuries at End of Life

Skin changes or unusual wounds can occur at the end of life and may include deep tissue injury, pressure injuries, or ischemic/mottled wounds. Due to the underlying etiologies, these wounds are generally thought to be unavoidable. For patients at the end of life, it is important to determine the goals of the patient and caregiver(s). Some may wish to achieve healing of the pressure injury, whereas others may desire only palliative care, including reducing pain, odor, drainage, bleeding, and infection, and simplifying dressing changes for comfort. The patient and family must be educated as to realistic expectations for wound healing.

One example of skin changes at the end of life is the Kennedy terminal ulcer. This type of ulcer was first described in 1989. It is located on the sacrococcygeal area, and it appears as a purple, red, blue, or black discoloration of the skin with a butterfly or pear shape that has irregular borders. It has a sudden onset, develops rapidly into a full-thickness wound despite appropriate care, and may precede death in days to weeks (WOCN, 2022a).

CONCLUSION

Pressure injuries are a life-threatening problem among vulnerable individuals, including those who are bed- or chair-bound and those who are critically ill. Nearly all pressure injuries are considered preventable, and this requires a full commitment by the healthcare facility and individual clinicians so that a pressure injury will not occur.

There are many factors that contribute to the formation of a pressure injury, including comorbidities, incontinence, poor nutrition, and advanced age, but the most significant risk factor is immobility. Patients who are dependent on others for repositioning are at greatest risk of developing a pressure injury, for nonhealing of a pressure injury should it occur, and for the recurrence of a pressure injury.

Pressure injuries can be prevented through both an “outside” approach (which includes minimizing pressure through regular repositioning, using a support surface, and managing incontinence) and an “inside” approach (which includes managing nutrition and hydration to support health and healing).

Finally, healthcare professionals, patients, and caregivers must be vigilant about monitoring for pressure injury recurrence. Failing to protect the development of pressure injuries or to care for existing pressure injuries puts all patients and the healthcare system in jeopardy for what is often a costly but avoidable complication.