Pressure injury prevention for paediatric cardiac surgical patients using a nurse-driven standardized clinical assessment and management plan.

BACKGROUND

The description of pressure injury development is limited in children with CHD. Children who develop pressure injuries experience pain and suffering and are at risk for additional morbidity.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to develop a standardized clinical assessment and management plan to describe the development of pressure injury in paediatric cardiac surgical patients and evaluate prevention strategies.

METHODS

Using a novel quality improvement initiative, postoperative paediatric cardiac surgical patients were started on a nurse-driven pressure injury prevention standardized clinical assessment and management plan on admission. Data were recorded relevant to nursing assessments and management based on pre-defined targeted data statements and algorithm. Nursing feedback regarding diversions was recorded and analysed.

RESULTS

Data on 674 congenital paediatric cardiac surgical patients who met criteria were collected between May, 2011 and June, 2012. In 5918 patient days, a total of 4603 skin assessments were completed by nurses from the cardiac ICU and the cardiac inpatient unit, representing 77% of the expected assessments. The majority (70%, 21/30) of the 30 pressure injuries were medical-device-related and 30% (9/30) were immobility-related. The overall incidence of pressure injury was 4.4%: device-related was 3.1% and immobility-related was 1.3%. Most pressure injuries were Stage 1 (40%), followed by Stage 2 (26.7%), mucosal membrane injury (26.7%), and suspected deep tissue injuries (6.7%).

CONCLUSION

A nurse-driven pressure injury prevention standardized clinical assessment and management plan supported a programme-based evaluation of nursing practice and patient outcomes. Review of practices highlighted opportunities to standardise and focus prevention practices and ensure communication of patient vulnerabilities.