Under pressure: preventing pressure ulcers in critically ill infants

J Spec Pediatr Nurs. 2013 Oct;18(4):329-41. doi: 10.1111/jspn.12043. Epub 2013 Jul 30.

Abstract

Purpose: To determine whether a pressure ulcer prevention bundle was associated with a significant reduction in pressure ulcer development in infants in the pediatric intensive care unit.

Design and methods: Quasi-experimental design involving 399 infants 0 to 3 months of age at a large tertiary care medical center.

Results: The implementation of the care bundle was associated with a significant drop in pressure ulcer incidence from 18.8 to 6.8%.

Practice implications: Pressure ulcers can be prevented in the most vulnerable patients with the consistent implementation of evidence-based interventions and system supports to assist nurses with the change in practice.

Keywords: Pediatric; pressure ulcer; prevention.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Academic Medical Centers
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Critical Illness / therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Intensive Care Units, Pediatric*
  • Length of Stay
  • Male
  • Nurse's Role
  • Patient Care Team / organization & administration
  • Patient Positioning / methods
  • Pressure Ulcer / nursing*
  • Pressure Ulcer / prevention & control*
  • Pressure Ulcer / therapy
  • Primary Prevention / organization & administration*
  • Program Evaluation
  • Reference Values
  • Risk Assessment
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Skin Care / methods*
  • Treatment Outcome