Determination of Incidence and Risk Factors of Medical Device-Related Pressure Injury in the ICU: A Descriptive Study

Objective: To determine the incidence and risk factors of medical device-related pressure injury (MDRPI) in the ICU.

Methods: In this descriptive study, the researchers collected data through systematic observation of patients (n = 58) in the ICU. The patients were evaluated within 24 hours of ICU admission and then followed up until they were discharged. A total of 482 patient-days were followed. The researchers used the MDRPI follow-up form, the patient descriptive form, the MDRPI follow-up form, and the Braden Scale for Predicting Pressure Sore Risk for data collection.

Results: Overall, 39.7% of the 58 patients hospitalized in the ICU developed an MDRPI, and 5.2% of the MDRPIs were evaluated as stage 2. These injuries occurred in an average of 5 days after the patient was admitted to the ICU. Among the MDRPIs that developed, 31.9% were located in the nose, 21.3% in the mouth, and 14.9% on the cheeks. Intubation tubes were used in 7.3% of the patients, nasogastric tubes in 22.4% of the patients, and radial artery catheters in 10.5% of the patients.

Conclusions: The development of MDRPI is correlated with the type of medical device used. Providers should establish a planned care protocol based on the anatomic placement of the medical device and take necessary precautions to prevent MDRPI.