Finally, medical and technological advances have generated a substantial ICU population of geriatric patients and long-term residents whose risk of developing pressure injuries might even be higher. Additionally, they are highly exposed to medical devices. Patients residing in the intensive care unit (ICU) are extremely prone to developing pressure injuries due to their inherent immobility, haemodynamic instability, poor tissue perfusion and oxygenation, and to a plethora of complexly interacting intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors. In the United States, the incremental hospital cost per patient of treating hospital-acquired pressure injuries is estimated at about US$10,708 and might exceed US$26.8 billion at the national level. By increasing the need for care resources they are a major economic burden for healthcare systems worldwide. Pressure injuries cause pain and disability, compromise the quality of life, and extend the length of hospital stay by an average of 5–8 days per pressure injury. An international classification categorises the injuries into stages I–IV, Unstageable, and Suspected Deep Tissue Injury according to the extent of the tissue damage (Online Resource_2). Frequently incorrectly considered a specific problem of long-term residents, they may develop as quickly as between the first hour and 4–6 h after sustained loading. Predisposing factors include limitations in activity/mobility, deficiencies in nutrition and skin moisture, inadequate perfusion, and the use of mechanical devices that exert pressure on the skin. Often occurring at bony prominences, they can develop anywhere on the body. Pressure injuries are localised lesions to the skin and/or underlying tissues due to pressure or pressure combined with shear.
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