Authors (including presenting author) :
Chang WYE (1), Yuen LW (1), Chow ML (1), Chi KH (1), Lin KL (1), Chan KY (1), Ho OLK (1), Yu WS (1)
Affiliation :
(1) Department of Orthopaedics & Traumatology, Yan Chai Hospital
Introduction :
The incidence of hip fractures in older adults has increased in recent decades due to an ageing population. Pressure injuries (PIs) are a common complication in hip fracture patients, with reported incidences ranging from 8.8% to 55%, mainly affecting the sacrum.
Objectives :
To assess whether applying prophylactic dressings to the sacral area, in addition to standard preventive care, could reduce the incidence of pressure injuries in hip fracture patients.
Methodology :
A retrospective cohort study was conducted. The intervention group received a multi-layer silicone-adhesive polyurethane foam dressing applied to the sacral region in addition to standard PI preventive care. The control group received only standard preventive care. The primary outcome was the incidence of sacral PIs at any stage from admission to discharge. Secondary outcome was the number of adverse skin events.
Result & Outcome :
The incidence of sacral PIs was significantly lower in the intervention group (4/334, 1.2%) compared to the control group (12/349, 3.4%) (p = 0.046; absolute risk reduction of 2.2%; number needed to treat (NNT) of 45 to prevent one case of sacral PI). No adverse skin events were attributed to the prophylactic dressing. These findings suggest that applying a multi-layer silicone-adhesive polyurethane foam dressing to the sacral area, in addition to standard preventive care, is an effective intervention for reducing pressure injuries in hip fracture patients.
