Pressure injury prevalence and characteristics in patients with COVID-19 admitted to acute inpatient rehabilitation unit

• Main Authors: Weiying Lu (Author), Ona Bloom (Author), Melissa Rathgeber (Author), Susan Maltser (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Frontiers Media S.A., 2023-04-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

Summary

ObjectiveTo investigate the incidence and severity of pressure injuries among COVID-19 patients who required acute hospitalization and subsequent acute inpatient rehabilitation (AIR).DesignData was collected retrospectively from medical charts of COVID-19 patients who were admitted to AIR during April 2020-April 2021.SettingAcute Inpatient Rehabilitation at a single hospital in the greater New York metropolitan area.ParticipantsSubjects included COVID-19 patients (N = 120) who required acute hospitalization and subsequent acute inpatient rehabilitation, of whom 39 (32.5%) had pressure injuries.InterventionsNot applicable.Main outcome measure(s)The incidence, location, and severity of pressure injuries in COVID-19 patients, as well as demographic and clinical characteristics of the acute hospitalization.ResultsAmong patients who developed pressure injuries, more patients received mechanical ventilation (59% vs. 33%, P < 0.05) and tracheostomy (67% vs. 17%, P < 0.00001). The lengths of stay were longer in both the intensive care unit (ICU) (34 vs. 15 days, P < 0.005), and in acute inpatient rehabilitation (22 vs. 17 days P < 0.05).ConclusionPressure injuries were more common in COVID-19 patients who had longer lengths of stay, received mechanical ventilation or tracheostomy, during acute hospitalization. This supports the use of protocols to prioritize pressure offloading in this patient population.

Item Description

2673-6861
10.3389/fresc.2023.1058982