Pressure Injury in a Community Population: A Descriptive Study

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Wound Care

Background:

• Pressure injuries (PIs) pose a significant health burden, particularly in community-dwelling populations.
• Understanding the prevalence and characteristics of present-on-admission PIs (POA-PIs) is crucial for effective healthcare interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of POA-PIs in community-dwelling adults admitted to acute care.
• To identify the prehospital origin of patients with POA-PIs.
• To describe the demographics, PI characteristics, risk factors, and outcomes for community-dwelling adults with POA-PIs.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective descriptive study was conducted using data from a PI registry at an urban academic medical center.
• Patient data were extracted from electronic health records, with a focus on individuals admitted from the community.
• Descriptive statistics were employed to analyze prevalence, demographics, PI characteristics, and outcomes.

Main Results:

• The prevalence of POA-PIs in community-dwelling adults admitted to acute care was 7.4%.
• Patients were older (mean age 72.7 years), with high rates of mobility limitations (90.8%) and inadequate nutrition (41.3%).
• A significant portion (51.5%) were discharged to healthcare facilities, and the 30-day readmission rate was 15.5%.

Conclusions:

• The prevalence of POA-PIs in community-dwelling adults is higher than previously documented.
• These patients present with severe PIs and are often underserved by existing home care services.
• Enhanced community screening, prevention, and intervention strategies are needed for this vulnerable population.