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The Use of Infrared Thermal Imaging Camera to Prevent the Development of Pressure Injuries
Busra Demir1, Arzu Ozcan Ilce2
1Surgical Nursing Department, Faculty of Health Science, Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University, Ankara, Türkiye.
Background:
Pressure injury (PI) is considered a widespread public health problem despite the advancement of technology in the field of health, the increase in the level of medical knowledge, newly introduced treatments and precautions. Traditional methods are capable of recognising only 20%-40% of cases of PI development.
Aim:
To evaluate the feasibility of using an Infrared Thermal Imaging Camera (IRTC) to prevent the development of pressure injury.
Study Design:
This study is a cross-sectional study. Delta-T (ΔT) temperature differences measured by IRTC were determined to be high risk, with differences above -1°C detected in the pressure areas. ΔT risk status was compared with the Braden Risk Assessment Scale (BRAS).
Results:
The study was completed with the participation of 30 patients and using 1755 thermography measurements. A statistically significant correlation was noted between Braden Risk Assessment Scale (BRAS) measurements and age (95% Cl [-0.704, -0.045] p = 0.025), albumin level (95% Cl [0.262, 0.710] p = 0.006), haemoglobin level (95% Cl [0.225, 0.740] p = 0.005), systolic blood pressure (95% Cl [0.212, 0.728] p = 0.005), faecal incontinence (95% Cl [-2.120, -0.858] p = 0.000) and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) (95% Cl [0.708, 0.929] p = 0.000). Statistically significant differences were identified between the ΔT temperature differences measured with IRTC and the variables of gender (95% Cl [-0.907, -0.204] p = 0.002), age (95% Cl [0.290, 2.380], p = 0.008), Glasgow coma scale (95% Cl [0.123, 0.388] p = 0.000), body mass index (95% Cl [-0.512, -0.027] p = 0.011), albumin level (95% Cl [0.009, 0.372] p = 0.037), haemoglobin level (95% Cl [-0.459, -0.057] p = 0.019), body temperature (95% Cl [-0.301, -0.009] p = 0.027), SPO2 (95% Cl [-0.305, 0.025] p = 0.030), systolic blood pressure (95% Cl [-0.359, -0.095] p = 0.001) and oedema (95% Cl [0.205, 1.155] p = 0.002). A statistically significant difference was observed between IRTC measurements and BRAS scores in identifying the pressure injury development risk (OR = 0.164, 95% Cl [0.032, 0.834] p = 0.024). Considering the period throughout which the IRTC measurements were followed, a significant difference was found in terms of PI development after the third day (95% Cl [6.994, 10.000] p = 0.017).
Conclusions:
The findings indicate that the Infrared Thermal Camera can detect pressure injury risk earlier and more objectively compared to the Braden Risk Assessment Scale and therefore may serve as an effective tool for preventing pressure injuries in patients in tertiary intensive care units.
Relevance To Clinical Practice:
In this study, the Infrared Thermal Camera was found to be more effective than the Braden Risk Assessment Scale in evaluating the risk of pressure injuries. In this context, the use of the Infrared Thermal Camera by critical care nurses in intensive care practice provides an important clinical application for the early detection of pressure injuries and the development of preventive care strategies.
Trial Registration:
The post hoc study was registered on https://clinicaltrials.gov/ (January 12, 2024) with the registration number NCT06219954.
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