Prevalence of Graduated Compression Stocking Associated Pressure Injuries in Surgical Intensive Care Units

Abstract Purpose This study aimed to determine the prevalence of static Graduated Compression Stocking (sGCS)-associated pressure injury among patients in surgical intensive care units (ICU). Methods We retrospectively reviewed data from wound care rounds between April 2011 and June 2012 at three surgical ICUs at an urban, tertiary care hospital. Patients with sGCS-associated pressure injury were identified and descriptive analysis was performed on their demographic, perioperative and post-operative characteristics. Results We examined 1787 individual patients during 2391 patient encounters. A total of 129 (7.2%) of patients developed pressure injuries. Forty patients (2.2%) developed sGCS-associated pressure injury. sGCS-associated pressure injury accounted for 31% (40/129) of all pressure injuries and 74% (40/54) of all medical device related pressure injury (MDR-PI). Eighteen (45%) and six (15%) developed stage 1 and 2 pressure injury respectively, and sixteen (40%) developed deep tissue injuries. The mean age of our patients was 64.7 years, about half (47.5%) were male, and their mean APACHE II score was 18.8. Many had comorbid conditions, including obesity (44.5%) and diabetes (42.5%) and required mechanical ventilation (45%). Conclusions Pressure injuries are a notable complication of sGCS in surgical ICU patients. Appropriate measures are required to help avoid this potentially preventable harm.