Using Technology to Combat Pressure Injuries in Hospitals

Hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs) are a critical concern across all levels of hospital management. This issue is not only a frequent topic among bedside nurses but also a significant focus for hospital administrators. Regardless of patient acuity or condition, maintaining skin integrity and implementing interventions to reduce pressure injuries are important for every patient who steps into a hospital. 

Pressure injuries can significantly decrease a patient’s quality of life and often result in extended hospitalizations or death. Each year, roughly 2.5 million Americans develop pressure injuries while receiving treatment in an acute care setting, with an estimated mortality of 60,000 patients per year. 

In addition to the number of patients impacted by HAPIs, the laborious treatment to heal them comes with a significant financial burden. In 2008, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services discontinued reimbursement for treating hospital-acquired pressure injuries. It labelled them “preventable events” and forced hospitals to absorb the treatment cost, which have an annual price tag of $26.8 billion. 

Technology and Pressure Injury Prevention

Combatting pressure injuries requires proactive and timely implementation of interventions to protect the skin. Monitoring systems and smart medical devices assist healthcare professionals in collecting data to make informed decisions about patient repositioning or additional supportive devices. Key technologies at the bedside include:

• Specialty Beds: Designed to reposition patients and alleviate pressure spots on their skin, the bed’s repositioning mechanisms allow oxygen and blood to recirculate in susceptible areas, which is especially helpful for patients with mobility concerns or extended lengths of stay. Examples of specialty beds include surfaces capable of laterally turning patients, alternately applying air pressure, supportive foam surfaces, and air-fluidized therapy (where a combination of air and sand creates a floating surface). 
• Pressure mapping: This technique uses a sensor mat to measure the pressure between the patient’s body and a surface. The pressure between the body and the mat is shown on a screen, and real-time feedback is delivered to alert hospital staff of increased pressure points and the need for repositioning. 
• Smart Textiles: These materials are designed for individuals with reduced mobility to prevent skin breakdown. The components in the clothing and mobility accessories can detect and assist with pressure monitoring and thermoregulation and have antimicrobial properties to suppress bacteria growth during extended use.

Cultivating a Prevention Culture with Technology

While technology offers substantial benefits in the prevention of pressure injuries, the most effective strategies often lie in integrating these tools to drive practice changes and foster a culture of prevention. Preventing pressure injuries requires a team effort between technology and healthcare staff. A supportive infrastructure of data-driven insights and bedside presence, like hourly rounding and bedside shift reports, can drastically improve patient outcomes. 

Hourly Rounding 

Hourly rounding is an evidence-based practice tool aimed at proactively addressing patient concerns. Organizing work through purposeful rounding helps healthcare teams anticipate and consistently meet patients’ needs. Studies continue to show that hourly rounding is an effective tool for improving patient safety and preventing pressure ulcers. For example, a study performed at Baltimore Medical Center, where hourly rounding was guided for three weeks, showed a 56% decline in pressure injury rates.

Implementing hourly rounding can be challenging, particularly during busy periods when healthcare staff are stretched thin. However, SwipeSense’s Nursing Insights technology offers a practical solution by providing timely reminders to nurses. This support ensures that hourly rounds are performed consistently, thereby maintaining patient safety and care standards. Over time, the integration of such technology not only helps in adhering to best practices but also drives significant changes in clinical routines.

Bedside Shift Reporting

In 2010, The Joint Commission identified standardizing hand-off reports as a National Patient Safety Goal to reduce sentinel events caused by communication errors.  This focus on effective communication during care transitions remains a key priority in their current National Patient Safety Goals for hospitals. The bedside shift report, using structured methods like SBAR or IPASS, continues to be recognized as a best practice for improving patient safety and reducing communication-related errors.

A bedside shift report provides a crucial opportunity for both the incoming and outgoing nurses to visually assess the patient’s skin and discuss any potential issues. This facilitates immediate interventions such as repositioning during the handoff and involves the patient in the care process, both of which are essential steps in the proactive prevention of HAPIs, falls, and medication errors.

SwipeSense’s Nursing Insights provides tools that encourage consistent practice and track compliance with bedside shift reports. This tracking capability not only promotes accountability but also offers insights into how frequently bedside reports are completed, supporting ongoing improvements in patient care practices.

The Balancing Act of Patient Care and Technology

Combating pressure injuries requires collaboration from a multidisciplinary team that utilizes technology and preventative interventions. Companies like SwipeSense are transforming the way hospitals deliver safe, multidimensional patient care. SwipeSense’s innovative solutions enhance bedside care and significantly reduce shift workload and the occurrence and severity of pressure injuries.