Pressure Injuries in Critical Care Patients: A Conceptual Schema
Jill Cox, Marilyn Schallom
Abstract
ABSTRACT GENERAL PURPOSE To outline a conceptual schema describing the relationships among the empirically supported risk factors, the etiologic factors, and the mitigating measures that influence pressure injury (PI) development in the critical care population. TARGET AUDIENCE This continuing education activity is intended for physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurses with an interest in skin and wound care. LEARNING OBJECTIVES/OUTCOMES After participating in this educational activity, the participant will: 1. Choose a static intrinsic factor that increases the risk for the development of PI. 2. List several dynamic intrinsic risk factors for developing a PI. 3. Identify dynamic extrinsic risk factors that may predispose a patient to developing a PI. 4. Explain the pathophysiology of PI development. BACKGROUND The first step in successful pressure injury (PI) prevention is to determine appropriate risk factors. In patients who are critically ill, PI risk is multietiologic, including the pathophysiologic impacts associated with a critical illness, concomitant preexisting comorbid conditions, and treatment-related factors that are essential in the ongoing management of a critical illness. OBJECTIVE To outline a conceptual schema describing the relationships among the empirically supported risk factors, the etiologic factors, and the mitigating measures that influence PI development in the critical care population. METHODS Risk factors for PI included in the conceptual schema were identified after a comprehensive review of the literature. Risk factors were categorized as static intrinsic factors, dynamic intrinsic factors, or dynamic extrinsic factors. RESULTS The schema illustrates the complex relationships between risk factor duration and intensity and the underlying etiology of PI development. The relationships among cumulative risk factors, etiologic factors, and mitigating measures for PI prevention are also outlined in the schema within the context of potentially unavoidable PI development. CONCLUSION Examining PI development in patients who are critically ill through the lens of a conceptual schema may guide future research endeavors focusing on the etiologic bases for PI development. It may also provide a framework to explore alternatives to current formal PI risk assessment in this unique subset of hospitalized patients.