SAPPIRE: a prototype mobile tool for pressure ulcer risk assessment

Area of Science:

• Medical Informatics
• Nursing Technology
• Digital Health

Background:

• Accurate skin assessment and documentation are crucial for preventing pressure ulcers.
• Effective communication among healthcare providers relies on standardized documentation.
• Current methods may lack efficiency and standardization at the bedside.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a mobile system (SAPPIRE) for android devices to assist nurses in bedside skin assessment and documentation.
• To improve the accuracy and efficiency of pressure ulcer risk assessment.
• To ensure data documentation and exchange conform to relevant healthcare standards.

Main Methods:

• Development of a prototype mobile application named SAPPIRE (Skin Assessment for Pressure Ulcer Prevention, an Integrated Recording Environment).
• Integration of relevant terminology standards for data documentation.
• Implementation of Continuity of Care Records (CCR) standard for data exchange.
• Inclusion of a smart display for patient data relevant to Braden scale risk parameters.

Main Results:

• SAPPIRE facilitates data documentation adhering to terminology standards.
• The system enables data exchange using the CCR standard.
• Smart display features promote accurate pressure ulcer risk assessment using the Braden scale.
• Development challenges in standardizing assessment data were identified and addressed.

Conclusions:

• The SAPPIRE mobile system offers a promising solution for improving bedside skin assessment and documentation in pressure ulcer prevention.
• Standardization of data and seamless exchange are key to effective implementation.
• Further development and validation are warranted to optimize its impact on patient outcomes.