INCIDENCE OF SKIN INJURIES, RISK AND CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF CRITICAL PATIENTS
Dandara Soares Monteiro, Eline Lima Borges, Josimare Aparecida Otoni Spira, Taysa de Fátima Garcia, Selme Silqueira de Matos
Abstract
ABSTRACT Objective: to analyze the incidence of skin injuries, risk and clinical characteristics of critically ill patients. Method: a retrospective cohort study performed in the intensive care center with a sample of 125 patients whose outcome was skin injury. Results: the overall injury incidence was 28% (n=35), with 36.3% (n=8) being dermatitis associated with urinary and fecal incontinence, 19.2% (n=24) pressure injury, 7.2% (n=9) skin tears, and 0.8% (n=1) medical-adhesive-related skin injury. The appearance time of the injuries varied from 1 to 44 days. The average number of injuries per patient was 1.7. Factors such as enteral nutrition (p<0.001), mechanical ventilation (p=0.001), fecal incontinence (p=0.049), diaper use with a delayed urinary catheter or urinary diversion (p=0.004) were associated with injury onset. Conclusions: incontinence-associated dermatitis and pressure injury had a higher incidence in critically ill patients. Patients who developed pressure injuries were at higher risk.