Documentation of preventive care for pressure ulcers initiated during annual evaluations in SCI

The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 2016 · DOI: 10.1080/10790268.2015.1114225 · Published: March 1, 2016

Spinal Cord Injury Healthcare Dermatology

Simple Explanation

This study looks at how consistently Veterans with spinal cord injuries (SCI) receive preventive skin care during their annual evaluations at VA hospitals. The goal is to identify ways to improve pressure ulcer (PrU) prevention in this population, as PrUs are a common cause of hospitalization for Veterans with SCI. The study found that while most Veterans receive a good portion of the recommended skin health elements during these evaluations, there's still room for improvement, especially in outpatient settings.

Study Duration

12 Months

Participants

206 Veterans with SCI

Evidence Level

Retrospective cross-sectional observational design

Key Findings

1
Veterans received an average of 75.5% of applicable skin health elements during annual evaluations.
2
Documentation of skin health elements was significantly higher during inpatient vs. outpatient annual evaluations.
3
No significant differences were observed in documentation of skin health elements by Veterans at high vs. low PrU risk.

Research Summary

The study aimed to characterize the consistency of preventive skin care during annual evaluations for Veterans with SCI to identify strategies to promote PrU prevention care actively. The results indicated that the documentation of applicable skin health elements was higher during inpatient annual evaluations compared to outpatient settings. The conclusion suggests that additional PrU preventive care in the VHA outpatient setting may increase the identification and detection of PrU risk factors and early PrU damage, allowing for earlier intervention.

Practical Implications

Improve Outpatient Care

Focus on improving the consistency and comprehensiveness of skin health element documentation during outpatient annual evaluations.

Standardized Templates

Implement standardized templates or checklists for assessing skin health elements during annual evaluations to ensure all relevant aspects are covered.

Prioritize Risk Factors

Develop strategies to better focus prevention efforts on both patients and providers, particularly regarding the identification and management of PrU risk factors.

Study Limitations

1
Reliance on medical record documentation rather than direct observation of care provision.
2
Small sample size, potentially limiting the generalizability of the findings.
3
Inability to determine if Veterans received skin health element assessments outside of VHA SCI centers.

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