Determination of endotracheal tube-related pressure injuries in intensive care units and related factors

This descriptive study investigated the incidence of endotracheal tube-induced pressure injuries in intensive care units and related factors. The study was conducted in the Anesthesia, Internal, and Surgical Intensive Care Units of Dışkapı Yıldırım Beyazıt Training and Research Hospital between March 2021 and June 2022. The sample consisted of 146 patients undergoing endotracheal intubation in the intensive care units. Data were collected using a "Patient Information Form," "the Braden Scale", "the Nutritional Assessment Test", and "Endotracheal Tube-Related Pressure Injury Evaluation Form". Participants were assessed for endotracheal tube-related pressure injury once every 24 hours. Each participant was observed a minimum of two and a maximum of 14 times. The data were analyzed using the Pearson chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U test, independent t-test, and binary logistic regression. The results showed that four in five participants developed endotracheal tube-related pressure injuries (80.14%). More than half the endotracheal tube-related pressure injuries developed on the third or fourth day (56.41%). The mean time to develop endotracheal tube-related pressure injury was 4.42±1.72 days. The results indicate that body mass index is associated with the development of endotracheal tube-related pressure injury. Healthcare professionals should assess patients undergoing endotracheal intubation in terms of pressure injuries and develop strategies to prevent them.