Pressure injuries

A pressure injury is any breach in skin integrity caused by the failure to relieve pressure, most commonly found in areas covering bony prominences. The Intensive Care Department (ICU) has the highest incidence rate of pressure injuries within the hospital system, due to a multitude of factors which ultimately decrease the skin integrity of these patients. Due to impaired skin integrity ICU patients are at a very high risk of developing pressure injuries and relieving the pressure is often not a simple solution due to the acuity of the illness, such as patients who are respiratory or cardiovascularly unstable, centrally cannulized ECMO patients and spinal and complex pelvic fractures. Along with the vast array of medications such as high dose steroids and inotropes which decrease skin integrity. This episode aims to look at the different stages/classifications of pressure injuries, the multiple adjuncts we can use to assist in relieving pressure, documentation of pressure injuries and what dressings (if any) are the best to use. Please join myself Kahli, Sally, Andi and Tannah as we delve into the world of pressure injuries.