Prevention of neonatal pressure injuries

Abstract

Pressure injuries in the neonatal unit can cause infection, unnecessary pain and have the potential for scarring. However there is a dearth of information available on this topic.Preventative strategies to address pressure injury development are essential when caring for vulnerable neonatal patients. This article highlights the issues regarding neonatal pressure injuries in clinical practice. In addition, it explores skin assessment and discusses the use of a neonatal skin risk assessment tool as a quality improvement intervention to improve clinical practice and patient outcomes.

Predicting Neonatal Skin Injury: The First Step to Reducing Skin Injuries in Neonates

“…19 It has also been discussed by previous researchers that it is not enough to just score an infant; a skin risk assessment tool needs to provide a skin care and documentation plan to standardised current practice in a NICU. 14,18,19 Many risk assessment tools just provide staff caring for the neonate with a score which informs them that the neonate may or may not be at risk of a skin injury with no instructions on the timing and type of care required to reduce the risk of skin injuries. The SRAMT Health Services Insights acknowledges all neonates are at risk and identifies levels of risk (low, mod, high extreme).…”

“…We acknowledge the previous research that has recommended such a tool should be used as part of routine clinical assessment. 1,18,19 In this project, we were keen to see whether the SRAMT would predict as accurately as members of nursing team who had experience in managing neonates across gestation and acuity levels. This study had shown the SRAMT was more accurate than the experienced staff.…”

“…13,14 To assist staff in predicting infants at risk of injury, skin risk assessment tools are being integrated into daily care plans of neonates. [13][14][15][16][17][18][19] Most recently, a Delphi study highlighted the need for a neonatal skin risk assessment tool that focuses on the iatrogenic and traumatic skin issues significant to infants of varying gestational age and illness. 1 Since reporting these results in 2017, no further evidence has been published on the effectiveness of using skin tools to predict neonates at risk of skin injuries.…”

“…1 Since reporting these results in 2017, no further evidence has been published on the effectiveness of using skin tools to predict neonates at risk of skin injuries. 18,19 In 2017, our team developed and evaluated a skin risk assessment and management tool (SRAMT). 20 The tool is composed of 3 sections; risk assessment, care protocol and management guidelines.…”

“…1 Since reporting these results in 2017, no further evidence has been published on the effectiveness of using skin tools to predict neonates at risk of skin injuries. 18,19…”