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Are there differences between COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 inpatient pressure injuries? Experiences in Internal Medicine

Leticia Nieto-García1, Adela Carpio-Pérez2, María Teresa Moreiro-Barroso3

  • 1School of Nursing and Physiotherapy, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.

Plos One
|February 17, 2022
PubMed

Insights

COVID-19 patients developed more hospital-acquired acute wounds, including pressure injuries (PIs), compared to non-COVID patients during the pandemic's first wave. Diabetes and hypertension were key comorbidities in COVID-19 patients with PIs.

Area of Science:

  • Healthcare Epidemiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Clinical Medicine

Background:

  • Pressure injuries (PIs) represent a significant global public health challenge in healthcare settings.
  • Understanding PI development in diverse patient populations is crucial for effective management.
  • The COVID-19 pandemic introduced unique challenges to patient care and wound development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of pressure injuries (PIs) in COVID-19 patients versus non-COVID patients.
  • To analyze PI development within Internal Medicine Units during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • To identify risk factors and common locations associated with PIs in hospitalized patients.

Main Methods:

  • A descriptive, longitudinal, retrospective study design was employed.
  • Data were collected from inpatients aged 18 years and older admitted to Internal Medicine Units.
  • The study included patients with one or more pressure injury episodes during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Main Results:

  • The prevalence of PI episodes was 6% and cumulative incidence was 2.9% during the first COVID-19 wave.
  • COVID-19 patients exhibited a fourfold higher risk of acute wounds (p<0.001).
  • Sacrum and heels were the most frequent PI locations; arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus were associated with hospital-acquired PIs in COVID-19 patients.

Conclusions:

  • COVID-19 patients presented with a higher incidence of acute wounds, particularly hospital-acquired PIs, compared to the non-COVID group.
  • Diabetes mellitus and arterial hypertension were identified as significant comorbidities associated with PIs in COVID-19 patients.
  • These findings highlight the increased vulnerability of COVID-19 patients to pressure injuries and associated risk factors.
Abstract

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