Reducing the Risk for Pressure Injury During Combat Evacuation

Area of Science:

• Medical Science
• Wound Care
• Aeromedical Evacuation

Background:

• Combat casualties evacuated by air face increased risk of pressure injuries.
• Pressure and shear forces are key risk factors that may be mitigated with en route care solutions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of different offloading and protective interventions in preventing pressure injuries.
• To compare transcutaneous oxygen levels and skin temperatures under various loading conditions and with specific medical dressings.

Main Methods:

• Healthy participants were assigned to four groups, receiving either a control intervention or one of three dressing/pad types.
• Transcutaneous oxygen levels, skin temperature, and interface pressures were measured on the sacrum and heel under loaded (supine) and unloaded (side-lying) conditions.
• Measurements were taken at baseline, during a 40-minute loaded period, and during a 15-minute unloaded period.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in interface pressure, transcutaneous oxygen levels, or skin temperature were observed between the four intervention groups.
• Peak interface pressures reached approximately 43 mm Hg on the sacrum and 50 mm Hg on the heel.
• Transcutaneous oxygen levels significantly decreased, and skin temperature increased over time when participants were in loaded positions.

Conclusions:

• The tested intervention strategies (Mepilex dressings, LiquiCell pad) did not demonstrate a significant difference in preventing pressure injuries compared to the control.
• Further research is needed to identify effective methods for mitigating pressure injury risk in aeromedical evacuation settings.