Early Identification of Pressure Injury: An Equity-Informed Initiative.

Abstract

Early detection is an essential component in averting preventable higher-stage pressure injuries (PI). However, decades of clinical practice have not yielded the elimination of preventable hospital-acquired PIs, especially in patients with dark skin tones. Late detection of PIs in dark skin tones is a health equity issue. As an equity-informed initiative, an interprofessional team in a large hospital complex developed an enabler for practice to address overreliance on simple visual inspection for detecting early skin and tissue damage. The 4Ts practice enabler provides a nontechnological and practical approach for the early identification of stage 1 PIs in all skin tones by examining skin tone, temperature, texture, and twinge (pain). This equity-informed comprehensive approach will impact early detection of PI, thereby triggering expedited measures for effective prevention.