Evaluating the impact on hospital acquired pressure injury/ulcer incidence in a United Kingdom NHS Acute Trust from use of sub-epidermal scanning technology.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of pressure injury/ulcers is persistent despite multiple prevention strategies in hospitals across the globe. Current standard of pressure injury/ulcer care supported by subjective skin tissue assessments, risk assessment tools and clinical judgement is ineffective in consistent pressure injury/ulcer prevention. AIM: A pragmatic study, aligning with SQUIRE guidelines, was conducted at Chelsea and Westminster hospitals to measure the impact of adding scanning technology to the prevailing standard of care pathway on the incidence of category 2-4 hospital-acquired pressure injury/ulcers. METHODS: Six hundred and ninety-seven mixed-population patients at risk for pressure injuries/ulcers with a Waterlow score of ≥10 and a mean age ≥65 years were enrolled across four wards over a 6-month period. Scanning technology was added to the prevailing standard of care as a device adjunctive to clinical judgement for the detection of deep and early-stage pressure-induced tissue damage. Ward staff completed comprehensive device training by the device manufacturer. Clinical interventions were initiated by clinical judgement informed by injury/ulcer risk assessments, skin and tissue assessments and scanner readings. Incidence of reportable category 2-4 pressure injuries/ulcers from the prior 12-month period from the same wards were used as a control comparator population. All diagnosed category 2-4 pressure injuries/ulcers, unstageable and deep-tissue injuries were recorded. RESULTS: Prior study 12-month pressure injury/ulcer incidence was 0.6% (5/892 patients) in ward A, 4.4% (9/206 patients) in Ward B, 1.1% (12/1,123 patients) in Ward C and 2.6% (16/625 patients) in Ward D. Two pressure injury/ulcers in Ward B were recorded during the study. Zero pressure injuries/ulcers were recorded in the remaining three wards resulting in an 81% incidence reduction across all four wards. Improved clinical decisions from clinical judgement based on Sub-Epidermal Moisture (SEM) Scanner data were reported in 83% patients (n=578/697). CONCLUSION: Implementing scanning technology into routine clinical practice achieves consistent reductions in pressure injury/ulcer incidence.

Clinical impact of a sub-epidermal moisture scanner: what is the real-world use?

OBJECTIVE: The presence of sub-epidermal moisture (SEM) over a bony prominence is indicative of incipient pressure ulcer (pressure injury/decubitus/bedsore) (PU). Early identification of patients at increased risk of PU can prompt interventions that reduce the incidence and severity of hospital (or community)-acquired PUs (HAPUs). This study evaluated the clinical utility of a SEM Scanner device in HAPU management. METHOD: The study used a pragmatic 'real-world' approach. HAPU data before and during SEM Scanner use were obtained through routine audit. Patients had regular visual and daily SEM Scanner skin assessments over the sacrum and heels. Nursing care otherwise followed standard of care according to the established protocols of individual participating sites. HAPU incidence rates were determined and feedback gathered from health professionals on how the device influenced HAPU-related clinical decision-making. RESULTS: There were 15 participating sites: 13 acute care, one palliative care and one community care setting. The sample size was 1478 patients. All sites reported a substantial reduction in mean HAPU incidence: 87.2% in acute care settings; 46.7% in the palliative care setting and 26.7% in the community care setting. A 100% incidence reduction was reported in 10 (66.7%) sites. In the palliative care setting, SEM Scanner results changed HAPU-related clinical decision-making for 40% of patients scanned. The community care site demonstrated a 82% change in clinical decision-making. CONCLUSION: In this study, SEM analysis fitted seamlessly into routine skin assessment and enabled early identification of increased risk of tissue damage, with clinically important reductions in the incidence of HAPU across all participating sites.