Effect of Pressure Injury Prevention Guides Used In a Pediatric Intensive Care

Area of Science:

• Pediatric critical care medicine
• Nursing research
• Patient safety

Background:

• Pressure injuries are a significant concern in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs).
• Standardized prevention protocols are crucial for vulnerable pediatric populations.
• Existing prevention strategies may require enhancement for optimal effectiveness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of an evidence-based pressure injury prevention guide in a PICU setting.
• To determine the impact of the guide on the incidence of pressure injuries among critically ill children.
• To assess changes in pressure injury risk scores following the implementation of the guide.

Main Methods:

• A pre-post intervention study design with a control group and a prospective intervention group was employed.
• The study compared the occurrence of pressure injuries between a group receiving standard care and a group utilizing the new prevention guide.
• The Braden Q scale was used to assess pressure injury risk at admission and discharge in the intervention group.

Main Results:

• The incidence of pressure injuries was significantly lower in the treatment group (3.6%) compared to the nontreatment group (9.4%) (p = .033).
• The average Braden Q score increased from 12.20 ± 2.280 at admission to 13.73 ± 3.312 at discharge in the treatment group (p < .001), indicating reduced risk over time.
• The implementation of the evidence-based guide led to a statistically significant reduction in pressure injury occurrence.

Conclusions:

• An evidence-based pressure injury prevention guide is effective in reducing the incidence of pressure injuries in the PICU.
• The guide contributes to delaying the onset of pressure injuries in critically ill children.
• This study supports the integration of standardized, evidence-based prevention guides into pediatric critical care nursing practice.