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Keywords
Pressure injuries, skin breakdown, intensive care unit, ICU
Disciplines
Nursing
Description
Pressure injuries occur when a patient stays in the same position in bed for an extended time period. The heaviest and boniest parts of the body, commonly the back of the head, spine, sacrum, and heels, push down on the bed leading to skin breakdown. The easiest way to combat this breakdown is by turning patients every two hours, something that the nurses on this unit have complete control over. Cox et al., (2022) states that it is four times more likely for patients admitted to the ICU to develop pressure injuries than other hospital units. Much of this can be attributed to the fact that majority of ICU patients are unable to move themselves in bed due to intubation, sedation, or high acuity. Pressure injury risk is often measured by the Braden Scale, which consists of mobility, activity, sensory perception, skin moisture, nutrition, and friction/shear (Labeau et al., 2021). Patients with low Braden Scores should indicate to nurses that they will require more attention and care when it comes to skin.
Publication Date
5-6-2026
Recommended Citation
Dempster M, Roman E. Pressure injury prevention in the icu setting. Presented at Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital; 2026 May 6-12; Royal Oak, MI.
Comments
Nurses Week at Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital, Royal Oak, MI, May 6-12, 2026.