NURSING STRATEGIES FOR PREVENTING PRESSURE INJURIES IN ACUTE CARE SETTINGS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Author Name: 1. Dr. Piyush D Wagh 2. Omkar Murudkar

Volume/Issue: 06/06

Country: India

DOI NO.: 08.2020-25662434 DOI Link: https://doi-ds.org/doilink/06.2026-96653329/UIJIR

Affiliation:

1. HOD and Associate Professor, Godavari College of Nursing , Godavari College of Nursing, Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India
2. Tutor, Godavari College of Nursing , Godavari College of Nursing, Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India

ABSTRACT

Pressure injuries, formerly referred to as pressure ulcers or bed sores, remain one of the most prevalent preventable adverse events affecting hospitalized patients in acute care settings. They are associated with prolonged hospital stays, increased healthcare costs, pain, infection, reduced quality of life, and increased mortality. Despite advancements in healthcare technology and evidence-based clinical guidelines, pressure injuries continue to pose a significant challenge to patient safety worldwide. Nurses, as primary caregivers, play a crucial role in preventing pressure injuries through early risk assessment, regular skin inspection, repositioning, nutritional support, moisture management, patient education, and implementation of evidence-based care bundles. The objective of this systematic review is to synthesize current evidence regarding effective nursing strategies for preventing pressure injuries in adult patients admitted to acute care hospitals. A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar was conducted for studies published between January 2020 and June 2025. Clinical practice guidelines issued by the National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel (NPIAP), European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (EPUAP), Pan Pacific Pressure Injury Alliance (PPPIA), and the World Health Organization were also reviewed. Evidence indicates that comprehensive nursing interventions including systematic risk assessment using validated tools, frequent repositioning, pressure redistribution surfaces, nutritional optimization, skin care, moisture management, preventive dressings, multidisciplinary collaboration, and continuous staff education significantly reduce the incidence of hospital-acquired pressure injuries. Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, electronic health records, pressure-monitoring sensors, and predictive analytics further enhance early identification of high-risk patients and improve preventive care. However, barriers including inadequate staffing, limited resources, inconsistent guideline adherence, and insufficient education continue to affect implementation. Strengthening nursing competencies and integrating evidence-based prevention strategies into routine clinical practice are essential for improving patient safety and reducing the burden of pressure injuries in acute care hospitals.

Key words: Pressure injury, pressure ulcer, nursing care, prevention, acute care, risk assessment, patient safety, evidence-based nursing, systematic review