A Pressure Injury Prevention (PIP) Quality Improvement Pilot Of Sub-Epidermal Moisture Scanning In Acute Care
May 1, 2020
Author/Journal: Varga, M, et al. 2024. Wound Care Canada
Abstract
A pressure injury is defined as localized damage to the skin and/or underlying tissue, due to pressure or pressure in combination with shear. Patients with activity/mobility impairment are at highest risk due to their inability to safely reposition or mobilize themselves, leaving them exposed to prolonged unrelieved pressure and/ or shear. In Canada, the prevalence of pressure injuries is 26% with 25.1% acute care, 29.9% non-acute care, 22.1% mixed health-care settings and 15.1% in community care settings.4Hospital acquired pressure injury treatment costs range from $44,000 for Stage 2 to $90,000 for Stage 4. The cost to treat pressure injuries is substantially higher than prevention. The burden on those living with pressure injuries and those engaged in efforts to prevent and treat them is enormous. While a zero-pressure injury rate is desirable, it also is very unlikely, however there is consensus that most pressure injuries are preventable.
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