Is it time for a new descriptor 'pressure injury': a bibliometric analysis

Prediction, prevention and management of pressure injuries are areas that require specific attention from nurses in clinical practice. Moreover, increased awareness that these injuries are preventable is an important precursor to changing nurses’ practice and reducing the incidence of pressure injuries. The language and terminology that we use in daily practice can impact on the understanding and approach that nurses take to care delivery. In this area of wound care practice commonly used terminology that emphasises the nature of the wound, rather than its causation, may be a significant factor that limits the level of concern about prevention and responsibility taken by clinicians. This paper argues that the term ‘pressure injury’ promotes a better understanding of the fact that these wounds are preventable and may refocus the attention of nurses providing care to at-risk patients

Exploring known risk factors for pressure injury with visual technology

This research has identified that the use of visual technology can support the correlation between peak interface pressure and pressure gradients in the understanding of deep tissue injury. In addition as a pilot study the visual assessment of buttock shape has demonstrated potential for identifying risk of ischial or sacral pressure injury

The contribution of pressure gradients to advancing understanding of deep tissue injury to sacral regions

Aims: To explore correlations between peak pressure and pressure gradient at 1.5 cm and 2.5 cm, and selected risk factors for pressure injury including Waterlow risk assessment score and body mass index. Background: Accurately predicting pressure injury formation remains elusive. Exploring pressure gradients through pressure mapping systems may increase understanding of suspected deep pressure injury development. Methods: A nested prospective correlational exploratory study recruited 120 medical and surgical patients with convenience sampling. Patients were positioned supine with a 30-degree head elevation, on a computer-linked pressure sensor mapping mat. Mean peak interface pressure and pressure gradients were calculated. Results: Large correlation coefficients were identified between peak interface pressure and pressure gradients at distances of 1.5 cm and 2.5 cm, indicating that the area at the base of the 'cone-like' pressure damaged area remained essentially constant, rather than increasing with peak interface pressure. Conclusions: Pressure is experienced in a 'V' shape rather than a 'U' shape. Additionally, the area subjected to the highest pressure gradient is restricted in size and the impact of pressure reduces with distance from the point of peak interface pressure. The results suggest that with increasing peak interface pressure, the surrounding area becomes subject to higher gradients and shearing forces. Relevance to clinical practice: Increased use of pressure mapping systems in the clinical setting shows educational promise through visualisation of factors affecting deep tissue injury