Pressure Injuries in Older Adult ICU Patients: Hemodialysis

Abstract

Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are at an increased risk of developing hospital acquired pressure injuries (HAPrI) due to various factors. Immobility, severity of illness, and various medical interventions place these patients at higher risk for developing a HAPrI. Patients in the ICU undergoing hemodialysis are at an increased risk of developing a HAPrI due to the severity of their illness and the toll hemodialysis takes on an individual’s body. This study examined the characteristics of patients ≥60 years who received hemodialysis and developed a HAPrI during their ICU admission. A retrospective study of hemodialysis patients (N=457) was conducted using data from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC) database. Variables included in this study are age, length of hospital stay, minimum hemoglobin, minimum albumin, Braden total and subscale scores upon ICU admission. Bivariate statistical analysis was used to identify statistically significant variables that characterized hemodialysis patients who developed a HAPrI. Eighty-six (19%) ICU patients developed a HAPrI. Occurrence of HAPrIs among hemodialysis patients was influenced by length of hospital stay, minimum albumin, minimum hemoglobin, total Braden score, and some Braden subscale scores: activity, mobility, sensory perception, and moisture. Understanding these factors can guide healthcare professionals in creating effective preventive measures for HAPrIs in the ICU.