Layman Summary of IJQHC Journal Article – Longitudinal variation in pressure injury incidence among long-term aged care facilities

Authors: MIKAELA JORGENSEN, JOYCE SIETTE, ANDREW GEORGIOU, and JOHANNA I. WESTBROOK, Centre for Health Systems and Safety Research, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, NSW 2109, Australia

Pressure injuries (PIs) are commonly measured in aged care but usually only at single points in time using surveys.

Authors: MIKAELA JORGENSEN, JOYCE SIETTE, ANDREW GEORGIOU, and JOHANNA I. WESTBROOK, Centre for Health Systems and Safety Research, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, NSW 2109, Australia

Pressure injuries (PIs) are commonly measured in aged care but usually only at single points in time using surveys.

Information about pressure injuries that develop in aged care facilities could be more easily and accurately collected and compared using new electronic data systems.

What is a pressure injury?

  • Also known as a bedsore or pressure ulcer
  • Caused by sustained pressure and/or shear
  • Result in significant pain, suffering & treatment costs
  • Majority avoidable but remain a problem in long-term aged care

What did we do?

This study integrated electronic data from a large long-term aged care provider to monitor and compare the occurrence of new pressure injuries over time.

The data were collected as part of normal daily practice by nurses and care workers when they examined and dressed wounds.

We examined variation between facilities in rates of pressure injury occurrence. To make a fair comparison, we used data from other parts of the electronic system to account for differences between facilities in the health of their residents. Facilities with higher than expected rates were called high outliers.

We also looked at the factors that predicted the occurrence of pressure injuries.

Key Findings

OUP Pressure Ulcers

Pressure injuries were more common among:

  • Residents who were older, male, had diabetes, previous pressure injuries, greater needs for help with activities of daily living, reside outside of a major city
  • Facilities located in areas with lower socioeconomic status

Figure (below): Tracking over time example facility X with higher than expected rates in most study quarters

OUP Pressure Ulcers 2

So what?

The research demonstrates the potential of using new electronic data systems to track an important care measure over time. This method helps to accurately identify facilities and residents that may need extra support to prevent pressure injuries.

The full article can be viewed here – 

https://doi.org/10.1093/intqhc/mzy087

Layman summary- Longitudinal variation in pressure injury incidence among long-term aged care facilities

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