Use of digital images in the assessment and treatment of pressure ulcers in patients with spinal injuries in community settings

J Telemed Telecare. 2010;16(4):207-10. doi: 10.1258/jtt.2010.004013.

Abstract

We conducted a retrospective review of the digital images in the clinical records of 50 patients with pressure ulcers. Ten nurses independently assessed one image from each patient. There was a total of 414 responses from the nurses about the stage and location of the ulcers (83% response rate). The average agreement about the stage and location of the ulcers was 85%. The overall agreement declined as the stage of the ulcer increased. The average agreement regarding the wound descriptors was: necrosis 85%, granulation tissue 81%, ischaemia 83%, cellulitis /infection 69%, erythema 68%. Almost all nurses felt the need to change the current management of the wound (460 responses, or 92%). The nurses judged that most digital images were of good quality (17%) or very good quality (79%). The present study suggests that a high percentage of assessments for patients currently travelling to specialist clinics could be performed in the community using digital images and telemedicine.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Attitude of Health Personnel*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Nurses / psychology*
  • Nurses / statistics & numerical data*
  • Photography* / economics
  • Photography* / methods
  • Pressure Ulcer / complications
  • Pressure Ulcer / therapy*
  • Rehabilitation Centers
  • Remote Consultation / methods
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Spinal Cord Injuries / complications
  • Wound Healing