Modeling Patient Risk for Hospital-Acquired Pressure Injuries During COVID-19: A Retrospective Study.

Montgomery, Aoyjai P; Patrician, Patricia A; Hall, Allyson; Miltner, Rebecca S; Enogela, Ene M; Polancich, Shea

BACKGROUND COVID-19 negatively impacts many organ systems including the skin. One of the most significant skin-associated adverse events related to hospitalization are pressure injuries. PURPOSE The aim of this study was to determine 8 risk factors that would place hospitalized patients at a higher risk for hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs) during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS A retrospective, descriptive analysis was conducted in an urban academic health science center located in the southeastern United States. RESULTS There were 247 of 23 093 patients who had pressure injuries and 1053 patients who had a positive COVID-19 diagnosis. Based on the generalized estimating equation model, diagnosis of COVID-19, age, male gender, risk of mortality, severity of illness, and length of stay are statistically significant factors associated with the development of HAPIs. CONCLUSIONS Further study should explore pathology of COVID-19 skin changes and what interventions are effective against HAPIs in the COVID-19 population taking into consideration current treatments.