Incidence of pressure injuries and risk factors in a paediatric surgical intensive care unit: a prospective cohort study

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the incidence of, and risk factors for, the occurrence of pressure injuries (PIs) in a paediatric surgical intensive care unit (ICU). Method: This is a prospective cohort study of 153 children in the postoperative period. Patients were assessed daily by physical examination and data were collected. All independent variables were included in a logistic regression. Results: The mean age of the cohort was 2 years, and the incidence of PI was 15.7%. According to the Braden Q Scale, 58.2% of patients were at high risk of developing PI; 79.3% of PIs were related to immobility and 69.0% were at stage 1. Risk factors were ICU length of stay and the number of medical devices used. Conclusion: The incidence of PI was high because patients were mostly at a considerable risk of developing a PI. PI was associated with several factors, especially length of ICU stay and number of devices, both of which are indirect indicators of the severity of patient condition and healthcare costs.