Continuous monitoring of interface pressure distribution in intensive care patients for pressure ulcer prevention.
OBJECTIVE
This paper is a report of a study conducted to examine whether continuous interface pressure monitoring of postoperative patients in an intensive care unit is feasible in clinical practice.


BACKGROUND
The interface pressure between skin and surfaces is generally evaluated for pressure ulcer prevention. However, the intensity and duration of interface pressure necessary for pressure ulcer development remains unclear because the conventional interface pressure sensors are unsuitable for continuous monitoring in clinical settings.


METHODS
A total of 30 postoperative patients in an intensive care unit participated in this study in 2006-2007. A sensor was built into a thermoelastic polymer mattress. The whole-body interface pressure was recorded for up to 48 hours. Pressure ulcer development was observed during the morning bed-bath. For analysis, the intensity and duration of the maximal interface pressure was evaluated.


RESULTS
The mean age of the study group was 62.0 +/- 15.4 years. Two participants developed stage I pressure ulcer and blanchable redness at the sacrum. The longest duration of pressures greater than 100 mmHg were 487.0, 273.5 and 275.7 minutes in the pressure ulcer, blanchable redness and no redness groups respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Continuous monitoring of the intensity and duration of whole-body interface pressure using the KINOTEX sensor is feasible in intensive care patients.
Sakai
Kozue
K
Department of Gerontological Nursing/Wound Care Management, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Japan. kozues-tky@umin.ac.jp
Sanada
Hiromi
H
Matsui
Noriko
N
Nakagami
Gojiro
G
Sugama
Junko
J
Komiyama
Chieko
C
Yahagi
Naoki
N
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001513:Beds; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000592:standards*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000295:instrumentation*; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017592:Skin Care; D055815:Young Adult