Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 18, 2026
Maintenance of a Lateral Fluid Percussion Injury Device
Published on: April 21, 2023
Medical-Device Related Pressure Injuries to Children in the Intensive Care Unit
Eka Widiati1, Nani Nurhaeni1, Dewi Gayatri1
1a Faculty of Nursing , Universitas Indonesia, Jalan Bahder Djohan Campus , Depok , Indonesia.
Insights
Medical devices can cause skin injuries in children. This study found that specific injury-prevention guidance did not significantly reduce pressure injuries compared to routine care, highlighting the need for ongoing vigilance.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nursing
- Medical Device Safety
- Wound Prevention
Background:
- Medical devices attached to children pose a risk of skin and mucous membrane injuries due to pressure.
- Effective strategies are needed to prevent these device-related injuries in pediatric patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of injury-prevention guidance for children requiring medical devices.
- To assess the impact of specific guidelines on reducing pressure injuries in pediatric patients.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial with a cross-over design involving 50 pediatric participants (1 day to 18 years).
- Comparison between a control group (routine hospital care) and an intervention group (Kiss and Heiler's guidelines).
- Skin assessments conducted over 3 days, analyzing pressure injury incidence and risk scores (Neonatal Skin Risk Assessment Scale and Braden Q scale).
Main Results:
- No significant difference in pressure injury incidence between the intervention and control groups.
- Common devices causing injuries included Endotracheal Tube (ETT), Oral Gastric Tube (OGT), Nasogastric Tube (NGT), and SpO2 probe.
- Observed pressure injuries were predominantly Grade 1, indicating a low-risk category.
Conclusions:
- Current injury-prevention guidance may not be sufficient to significantly reduce pressure injuries in pediatric patients.
- Nurses must remain vigilant in pressure injury prevention, regardless of low risk scores from scales like NSRAS and Braden Q.
- Further research is recommended to enhance risk assessment tools for medical device-related pressure injuries in children.
Abstract:
Medical devices that are attached to children put pressure on their skin or mucous membranes, and the devices can lead to injuries. The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of injury-prevention guidance about children who need to have medical devices attached to their bodies as part of their treatment. The research used a randomized controlled trial method, along with a cross-over design in 50 respondents with age ranges from 1 day to 18 years. The control group was treated in accordance to hospital routine, while the intervention group was given medical treatment based on Kiss and Heiler's guidelines. Skin assessment was conducted for 3 days. Incidence of Grade 1 pressure injuries on the respondent's skin or mucous membranes with a mean score of Neonatal Skin Risk Assessment Scale < 13 and average Braden Q score > 15 were observed. Health devices that caused pressure injuries on respondents were: ETT (13%), OGT (12%), NGT (11%), and SpO2 probe (6%). There were no significant differences between the control group and intervention group in terms of the number of pressure injury incidences. Skin trauma and pressure injuries caused by medical devices were within the low-risk category; therefore, nurses should not be complacent with the NSRAS and Braden Q scores in preventing pressure injuries. Further research is recommended to improve the power of related research and development in risk assessment of pressure injuries caused by medical devices in children.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Endocarditis IV: Nursing Management
01:22Burn Injuries
The damage results in the death of skin cells, which can lead to a massive loss of fluid. Dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and renal and circulatory failure follow, which can be fatal. Burn patients are treated with intravenous fluids to offset...