Prevenção de lesão por pressão em unidade de terapia intensiva: condutas adotadas por enfermeiros

Abstract

Pressure injuries (PIs) are common adverse events (AEs) in hospitalized patients, particularly in intensive care units (ICUs). Despite technological advancements and the development of guidelines, PIs still represent a negative indicator of quality of care. In the prevention of these AEs, nursing plays a crucial role through the adoption of evidence-based measures, such as repositioning and skin care. Therefore, this study aims to identify the preventive measures adopted by these professionals in light of current recommendations, highlighting gaps and challenges experienced in daily practice. The research aimed to identify the main practices adopted by nurses in the prevention of pressure injuries in an intensive care unit. A cross- sectional, quantitative study was conducted with 22 nurses. Data collection occurred through a structured questionnaire, with descriptive analysis of the variables. Among the results, it stands out that most participants (73.3%) reported frequently adopting preventive measures. Intrinsic factors showed better adherence than extrinsic factors. Only 41% of participants always assess skin color in Black individuals, while 27% reported rarely checking parameters such as temperature, sensitivity, and skin consistency. Regarding the use of supplies, 54% occasionally use polyurethane foam, 36% rarely use acidic pH soaps, and 9% never use reactive air surfaces. It was concluded, therefore, that despite high preventive adherence, weaknesses in care are observed, especially in the assessment of Black skin and the use of products for maintaining skin integrity.