Protocols and their effects for medical device-related pressure injury prevention among critically ill patients: a systematic review

Abstract

Background: A pressure injury refers to localized damage to the skin and/or tissue due to prolonged pressure, and it has recently been defined to include pressure injuries related to medical devices. Medical device-related pressure injuries occur in various sites and are difficult to detect. Even if it is detected, medical devices are essential to life for critically ill patients. Thus, it is difficult to remove or change the position of the medical device; therefore, prevention is essential. This study aims to integrate the literature on medical device-related pressure injury prevention protocols among critically ill patients. Methods: The literature inclusion criteria were (1) critically ill patients, (2) device-related pressure injury interventions, (3) randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental designs, and (4) written in Korean or English. The literature search and selection were performed following the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions with the support of the PRISMA Guidelines. Results: Twelve articles were finally selected. The incidence of medical device-related pressure injury decreased from 8.1–96.7% before intervention to 0.3–53.3% after intervention, respectively. Medical device-related pressure injury prevention was effective in reducing medical device-related pressure injury incidence when applied to patients of all ages, from neonates to adults, in a variety of intensive care units. Medical device-related pressure injury prevention strategies include nurse education, assessment, documentation, and interventions (hygiene, repositioning, emergent therapy such as protective dressing or designed equipment reducing pressure) of pressure injury. Pressure injury dressings primarily included hydrocolloid foam dressings, but transparent hydrocolloid formulations also effectively reduced medical device-related pressure injury incidence rates. Conclusions: In the future, it is necessary to increase the level of evidence by applying specialized medical device-related pressure injury prevention methods for different medical devices and areas of pressure injuries, and verifying their effectiveness. Trial registration: The review protocol was registered (PROSPERO registration number: CRD42022346450). © The Author(s) 2024.