Pressure ulcers in trauma patients with suspected spine injury: a prospective cohort study with emphasis on device‐related pressure ulcers

Of all patients in a hospital environment, trauma patients may be particularly at risk for developing (device‐related) pressure ulcers ( PU s), because of their traumatic injuries, immobility, and exposure to immobilizing and medical devices. Studies on device‐related PU s are scarce. With this study, the incidence and characteristics of PU s and the proportion of PU s that are related to devices in adult trauma patients with suspected spinal injury were described. From January–December 2013, 254 trauma patients were visited every 2 days for skin assessment. The overall incidence of PU s was 28·3% ( n = 72/254 patients). The incidence of device‐related PU s was 20·1% ( n = 51), and 13% ( n = 33) developed solely device‐related PU s. We observed 145 PU s in total of which 60·7% were related to devices (88/145). Device‐related PU s were detected 16 different locations on the front and back of the body. These results show that the incidence of PU s and the proportion of device‐related PU s is very high in trauma patients.