Reducing the Severity of Pressure Injuries and Identifying Opportunities for Prevention in a Diverse Patient...

Pressure injuries (PIs) are localized skin and tissue damage caused by prolonged pressure and shear. Hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs) remain a significant concern in acute care, with disparities in early detection among patients with darker skin tones. This project aimed to enhance early PI detection and reduce severity by integrating infrared thermography (IRT) into nursing skin assessments on a transplant unit.

Nurses received education on the influence of skin tone variation and how to utilize IRT imaging as an added tool to identify early physiologic changes not always visible in traditional assessments. Data were collected over 3 months, including HAPI incidence, staging, and nurse-reported confidence levels.

A total of 303 thermal images were obtained from 86 patients using IRT. Of these, deep tissue injuries were seen in 33.6% of images, hypoperfusion in 39%, and signs of inflammation in 17%. Following implementation, early recognition of pressure injuries improved, leading to timely interventions. Nurses reported increased confidence in detecting PI with the device.

Combining IRT with education on skin tone variation and multimodal assessment improved equity in PI detection, reduced severity, and enhanced nurse confidence. Technology, paired with culturally sensitive practice, supports safety, quality, and equitable outcomes in pressure injury prevention.