Continuous pressure monitoring of inpatient spinal cord injured patients: implications for pressure ulcer development

Spinal Cord, 2023 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41393-022-00841-7 · Published: August 17, 2022

Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Dermatology

Simple Explanation

This study uses continuous pressure monitoring (CPM) to track the movement of spinal cord injury (SCI) patients during rehabilitation, to see how movement relates to skin damage. The study found that patients with higher-level injuries moved less frequently than those with lower-level injuries. Those who moved less were more likely to develop skin damage. The technology used in this study may help monitor PU risk and personalize care for SCI patients.

Study Duration

13 months

Participants

12 individuals with SCI

Evidence Level

Cohort observational study

Key Findings

1
Significant correlations were found between nursing observations and the algorithm for predicting movement, with the algorithm being more sensitive.
2
Individuals with high-level injuries (C1-T6) moved less frequently and had larger intervals between movements compared to those with low-level injuries (T7-L5).
3
Patients with skin damage predominantly had a low frequency of movement and extended gaps between movements.

Research Summary

This study examined movement patterns in SCI patients during inpatient rehabilitation using continuous pressure monitoring (CPM) to assess pressure ulcer risk. The study found that movement frequency and intervals between movements were associated with the level of injury and the presence of skin damage. The findings suggest that CPM can be a useful tool for monitoring PU risk and informing personalized care in SCI patients.

Practical Implications

Personalized Care

Continuous pressure monitoring can inform individualized pressure ulcer prevention plans.

Risk Assessment

CPM can be used to assess risk and identify trends for PU prevention.

Technology Integration

Monitoring and feedback strategies can support pressure ulcer prevention.

Study Limitations

1
Small cohort of in-patients with SCI limits generalisability.
2
Monitoring periods in the bed and chair inevitably varied.
3
Direct causation between our movement observations and occurrence of skin damage is limited

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