Prevention of pressure wound development with infrared thermal camera

This study was carried out as a prospective descriptive type study, with the aim of comparing the imaging of skin temperature in pressure zones using an infrared thermal camera (İTC) in patients admitted to intensive care with the traditional method, examining the factors that cause pressure injury development in patients, and evaluating the effectiveness of the İTC in preventing pressure wound. The population of the study consisted of patients (n: 30) who were hospitalized in intensive care at Bolu İzzet Baysal State Hospital Central Unit between 04.10.2023 and 28.11.2023, who met the inclusion criteria of the study and agreed to participate. Data were collected by the researcher through face-to-face interviews for at least 2 days and at most 10 days. In the analysis of data; It was calculated using Independent-Samples T Test, chi square, correlation, Kaplan Meir test and Cox regression test. The study was completed with 30 patients and 1755 thermography evaluations. Delta-T temperature differences measured by İTC were determined to be high risk, with differences above -1 °C detected in the heel in the supine position and in the ear, shoulder, elbow, thoracanter and malleolus pressure areas in the right-left lateral position. A statistically significant difference was found between the Braden rısk assessment scale (BRAS) and the patients' age, albumin, hemoglobin, systolic blood pressure, fecal incontinence and GCS (p <0.05). A statistically significant difference was detected between the delta-t temperature differences measured by İTC and the patients' gender, age, GCS, body mass ratio (BMR), albumin, hemoglobin, body temperature, SPO2, systolic blood pressure and edema variables (p<0.05). A statistically significant difference was found in the ability of İTC to indicate the risk of pressure injury compared to BRAS (p<0.05). During the follow-up periods of İTC, a significant difference was found in the occurrence of pressure injury in measurements after the 3rd day (p <0.05). In conclusion; It was determined that the use of İTC was a more effective method than BRDS in determining the risk of pressure ulcers in patients and could be a warning sign in the early stages of the development of pressure ulcers. It is recommended to continue studies with a larger sample and confirm these findings.