Description
Prevention of Pressure Injuries in the Elderly Reduces the Spread of Infections
Introduction
Preventing pressure injuries, or pressure ulcers or bedsores, is essential for healthcare professionals working with elderly patients. Pressure injuries can be a significant health concern for elderly individuals, leading to pain, discomfort, and spreading infections. This is because pressure injuries can create an entry point for bacteria and other pathogens, increasing the risk of infection. As such, preventing pressure injuries in elderly patients is critical in reducing the spread of infections and maintaining this vulnerable population’s overall health and well-being. In this literature review, methodology, and design, we will explore the various strategies and interventions that can be used to prevent pressure injuries in elderly patients and evaluate their effectiveness in reducing the spread of infections.
Literature Review
The aging population experience different health-related problems. One of the common issues is pressure injuries which cause various complications, including infections. Therefore, preventing injuries is the primary intervention to reduce such complications and infections. Different studies have been done to establish ways of preventing such injuries. Several technologies have been proposed and introduced to prevent injuries in healthcare settings.
Various evidence-based technologies can be used to prevent and treat injuries in healthcare settings. One of the primary ways to prevent such injuries includes identifying the risk factors and implementing preventive measures to ease the incidence of pressure injuries (Black, 2019). According to Black (2019), pressure relief devices, such as mattresses and cushions, and the repositioning of the patients helps prevent such pressure injuries. Hii-Sun Jeong (2021) highlighted the importance of identifying and addressing the underlying causes of pressure ulcers to prevent a recurrence.
Another best practice that prevents pressure is using Vaseline gauze to help people with immunoblots dermatoses. A study conducted by Brandao et al. ( 2020) found that Vaseline gauze was an effective intervention for preventing pressure injuries in this population. The authors concluded that the application of hydrocolloid dressings could serve as an efficient measure in preventing pressure injuries in patients who are vulnerable to them.
Another method discussed by Gefen (2021) highlights that the thermal conductivity of dressing plays a vital role in preventing and treating wounds. The author suggested that dressings with higher thermal conductivity can improve wound healing by increasing blood flow to the wound area and reducing inflammation.
Hampton (2019) reported on the use of hydroresponsive dressings, which can detect the presence of exudate and change color to alert caregivers of the need for changing the dressing. The study demonstrated that the use of hydroresponsive dressings led to improved wound healing and reduced incidence of PIs. In addition to dressings, turning black or yellow wounds red using a hyperresponsive dressing can also be an effective strategy in preventing PIs.
Finally, Serrano et al. (2020) examined using silicone-bordered multilayered foam dressing to prevent sacral pressure injuries in trauma patients. The study found that this dressing effectively reduced the incidence of sacral pressure injuries in trauma patients.
Methodology and Design
This study investigates the effectiveness of two prophylactic silicone sacral dressings in preventing sacral pressure injuries in critically ill patients. A cluster-controlled clinical trial will be conducted in two intensive care units in a hospital setting.
Participants
The study aims to select 100 participants who exhibit signs of a high risk of developing pressure injuries in the sacral area. To be eligible for the study, patients need to demonstrate these indications. The selected participants will then be randomly divided into two groups: the experimental group, which will receive one of two prophylactic silicone sacral dressings, and the control group, which will receive standard care. This approach will allow the researchers to compare the effectiveness of the two types of dressings in preventing sacral pressure injuries.
Intervention
The two prophylactic silicone sacral dressings to be tested in this study are Dressing A and Dressing B. Dressing A is a multilayered foam dressing with a silicone border, and Dressing B is a silicone dressing with a perforated design. Both dressings will be applied to the sacral area of participants in the experimental group. Participants in the control group will receive standard care, including repositioning, skin assessment, and pressure-relieving devices.
Data Collection
Data will be collected at baseline and regular intervals throughout the study period, which is seven days. The primary outcome measure is the incidence of sacral pressure injuries, which will be assessed using the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP) staging system. Secondary outcome measures include the time to development of pressure injuries, the severity of pressure injuries, and patient comfort.
Data Analysis
For this study, Chi-square tests will be used to compare the incidence of sacral pressure injuries between the experimental and control groups. The time to development and severity of pressure injuries will be analyzed using survival analysis techniques. Descriptive and inferential statistics will be utilized for the data analysis. Patient comfort will be analyzed using a visual analog scale.
Ethical Considerations
The study will follow the health laws provision and be approved by the Institutional Review Board. All the participants must sign an Informed consent Form before enrolling in the study. Patients in the control group will receive standard care, and if a sacral pressure injury develops, they will receive appropriate treatment. Patients in the intervention groups will receive one of the two prophylactic silicone sacral dressings approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for pressure ulcer prevention.
References
Black, J., Santamaria, N., Gefen, A., Kottner, J., & Alves, P. (2019). Meeting report: Addressing risk factors with evidence-based technologies for the prevention and treatment of pressure injuries in different healthcare settings. Wounds International, 10(3), 76–81.
Cortés, O. L., Salazar-Beltrán, L. D., Rojas-Castañeda, Y. A., Alvarado-Muriel, P. A., Serna-Restrepo, A., & Grinspun, D. (2018). Use of hydrocolloid dressings in preventing pressure ulcers in high-risk patients: A Retrospective Cohort. Investigacion & Educacion En Enfermeria, 36(1), 118–129. https://doi-org.library.collin.edu/10.17533/udea.i…
Da Silva Brandão, E., dos Santos, I., Serrão Lanzillotti, R., & Sampaio Rossi, M. A. (2020). Vaseline gauze for prevention of pressure injuries in people with immunobullous dermatoses. Revista Enfermagem UERJ, 28, 1–7. https://doi-org.library.collin.edu/10.12957/reuerj…
Gefen, A. (2021). The role of the thermal conductivity of dressings in prevention and treatment of wounds. Wounds International, 12(1), 18–24.
Hampton, S. (2019). Turning black or yellow wounds red using a hydroresponsive dressing. British Journal of Community Nursing, 24, S20–S24. https://doi-org.library.collin.edu/10.12968/bjcn.2…
Hii-Sun Jeong. (2021). Non-surgical treatment for pressure ulcer. Journal of the Korean Medical Association / Taehan Uisa Hyophoe Chi, 64(1), 26–33. https://doi-org.library.collin.edu/10.5124/jkma.20…
Serrano, J., Paiva, C. F., Dong, F., Wong, D., & Neeki, M. (2020). Sacral pressure injury prevention in trauma patients: Silicone-bordered multilayered foam dressing. Journal of Trauma Nursing, 27(4), 246–249. https://doi-org.library.collin.edu/10.1097/JTN.0000000000000521
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