Some pressure injuries occur despite evidence-based care

Hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs) occur even when nurses provide evidence-based care designed to avoid them. Researchers from Indiana University examined the rates of avoidable and unavoidable HAPIs in adult critical and progressive care patients in 6 acute care hospitals using a novel tool they developed to quantify pressure injury prevention measures implemented before the onset of HAPIs. They concluded that acute skin failure rather than a lack of preventive care explains 41% of HAPIs. The study also found participants with a history of previous pressure injury were five times more likely to have an unavoidable HAPI. (Newswise news release, 9/1/19)