Using wearable technology to prevent pressure injuries: An integrative review

Abstract

Background: Hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs) are a significant problem for hospitals worldwide, negatively affecting patients and organizations by decreasing quality of life and increasing organizational cost of care and workload. A common pressure injury prevention intervention is frequent turning, though compliance can be low. As a newer technology, wearable sensors have emerged as an intervention to increase turn compliance. Aims: The aim of this integrative review was to determine the clinical outcomes of using wearable sensors as a HAPI prevention intervention. Methods: This integrative review was appraised by two independent reviewers using the Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice Research Appraisal Tool. Results: Eleven articles were included. The use of wearable sensors increases compliance with frequent turn protocols while decreasing HAPIs and reducing organizational costs. Despite this, the use of such technology was not found to increase the quality of turns. Although staff who used this technology reported positive feedback, technological training is needed to ensure proper use of the sensors. Linking Action to Practice: This innovation has the potential to transform how nursing staff prevent pressure injuries, but more research is needed to definitively state whether wearable sensors will be efficacious as a pressure injury prevention intervention.