Preventing Hospital-Acquired Pressure Injuries Utilizing a Subepidermal Moisture Scanner

Author Biographical Info

Doctor of Nursing Practice student

Date of Doctor of Nursing Practice Project Completion

2026

Faculty Advisor

LaDawna Goering

Abstract

Preventing Hospital-Acquired Pressure Injuries Utilizing a Subepidermal Moisture Scanner

PURPOSE

This QI project intended to reduce hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs) in the ICU through the use of subepidermal moisture (SEM) scanning paired with a pressure injury prophylaxis (PIP) regimen and to assess the device’s usability using the system usability scale (SUS).

BACKGROUND

HAPIs account for approximately 2.5 million occurrences in acute care hospitals, and $26.8 billion in healthcare expenses annually, resulting in increased morbidity and mortality, approximately 60,000 annual deaths (Padula & Delarmente, 2019; Peko-Cohen & Gefen, 2019).  SEM scanning can identify a pressure injury approximately 4.6 days before formation, and, when coordinated with visual skin assessment (VSA) and PIP regimens, can significantly decrease HAPI occurrences in acute care settings.

METHODOLOGY

A 44-day pilot study was initiated in five ICUs at a 457-bed suburban acute care hospital.  Adult patients were SEM-scanned, and a focused PIP regimen was applied to the scanned sites based on SEM delta results.   HAPI numbers were monitored, and digital SUS surveys were administered.

RESULTS

Total HAPI rates decreased in three out of five ICUs.  Sacral HAPI rates decreased in four out of five units, while heel HAPIs decreased in three out of five units.  SUS scores at the beginning and end of the study were 60.45 and 47.85, respectively, less than the goal of 70.

RECOMMENDATIONS

SEM scanning data should be integrated with the hospital’s electronic health record (EHR), and documented PIP interventions should be used to trend data and generate new PIP recommendations.

IMPLICATIONS

SEM scanning with a focused PIP regimen demonstrated the ability to reduce HAPIs in the ICU.

Keywords

hospital acquired pressure injuries, HAPIs, Subepidermal moisture, SEM, system usability scale, SUS, ICU, Adult, Nursing

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS