Preventing pressure injury in open-heart surgical patients: A systematic review

Cardiac surgical patients are highly prone to developing surgery-related Pressure injuries (PIs). Prevention of PIs is an important patient safety priority in healthcare settings and patients care. So the aim of this study is to detect the effectiveness of prevention strategies to decrease PIs prevalence and incidence in patients undergoing open heart surgery.

We identified studies through Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, Cochrane, and ProQuest databases from inception through September 2022 with restrictions on the English language. Cochrane RoB 2, JBI, and NIH checklist were carried out as critical appraisal Tools to investigate the studies risk of bias. Finally, 10 studies with a total sample No. 1348, which fulfilled eligibility criteria were included in final systematic review.

Most common interventions investigated in included studies were addressing impairments skin care which included the use of multilayer silicone foam, Care bundle and multiple intervention programs, alternative head inflatable pads, pressure-reducing foam mattresses, and electric bed frames as the effective PIs Prevention (PIP) strategies. While repositioning is one of the important causes mentioned in most PIP protocols, there was not adequate evidence to recommend any special turning regimens for PIP.

Given current evidence, multilayer silicone foam, Care bundle and multiple intervention programs, alternative inflatable head pads, pressure-reducing foam mattresses, and electric bed frames are effective strategies to prevent pressure ulcers. Further investigations are needed to specify the cost-effectiveness of mentioned strategies and RCTs to determine other PIP strategies such as repositioning and mobilization, nutritional supplementation, creams, and co-interventions effects.