The effect of algorithm based care package application on pressure injury development in the intensive care unit

The Effect of Algorithm Based Care Package Application on Pressure Injury Development in The Intensive Care Unit INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: The research was planned to evaluate the effect of the care package prepared in line with the algorithm for the prevention of pressure injury in the intensive care unit. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The research was conducted on 80 patients hospitalized in the 3rd level general intensive care unit of Kocaeli Izmit Seka State Hospital between May 2019 and April 2020. The research, which used retrospective and experimental design type, consisted of three stages. In the first stage, training on the use of Pressure Injury Care Package Algorithm (PICPA) was given to 15 nurses who agreed to participate in the study. In the second stage, the incidence of pressure injury in the 5-month period and the data of the control group were obtained by retrospective scanning. The data of the application group were collected and care was given in line with the PICPA. In the third stage, the effectiveness of PICPA was evaluated by comparing the incidence of pressure injury during the maintenance period (December 2019-April 2020) with the guidance of the algorithm and the incidence of pressure injury in the pre-study period (May-September 2019). RESULTS: It was found that the rate of individuals who developed pressure injury was higher in the control group as of the 7th day (p<0.05). As of the 2nd day of the study, the Norton Pressure Injury Risk Assessment Scale score averages of the individuals in the application group were calculated higher (p<0.05). It was determined that pressure injury developed in 8.52±3.24 days in individuals in the control group and in 11.00±2.21 days in the individuals in the treatment group (p<0.05). The incidence of pressure injuries was calculated as 30.43% in the pre-algorithm period (May-September 2019) and 17.5% in the algorithm applied period (December 2019-April 2020). There was a significant difference between the incidence rates of pressure injuries (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: It has been observed that our care package application is effective in the development period of pressure injury. It is recommended to carry out studies that measure nurses' compliance with the care package, including a larger patient sample group, and longer follow-up periods. KEYWORDS: Care Package, Intensive Care Unit, Nursing Care, Pressure Injury.