Prevalence of hospital-acquired pressure injuries in intensive care units of the Eastern Mediterranean region: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Parvaneh Isfahani; Samira Alirezaei; Somayeh Samani; Fateme Bolagh; Azadeh Heydari; Mohammad Sarani; Mahnaz Afshari

doi:10.1186/s13037-023-00383-8

Prevalence of hospital-acquired pressure injuries in intensive care units of the Eastern Mediterranean region: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Patient Saf Surg. 2024 Jan 3;18(1):1. doi: 10.1186/s13037-023-00383-8.

Authors

Parvaneh Isfahani¹, Samira Alirezaei², Somayeh Samani³, Fateme Bolagh¹, Azadeh Heydari⁴, Mohammad Sarani⁴, Mahnaz Afshari⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Health Services Management, School of Public Health, Zabol University of Medical Sciences, Zabol, Iran.
² Assistant Professor, Research Center for Social Determinants of Health, Saveh University of Medical Sciences, Saveh, Iran.
³ Department of Occupational Health, Instructor of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Zabol University of Medical Sciences, Zabol, Iran.
⁴ Department of Public Health, School of Public Health, Zabol University of Medical Sciences, Zabol, Iran.
⁵ Assistant Professor of Health Policy, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Saveh University of Medical Sciences, Saveh, Iran. mahnazafshar89@gmail.com.

Abstract

Background: Hospital-acquired pressure injuries are a major patient safety concern in intensive care units that are considered largely preventable adverse events by adherence to nursing standards of care. The hypothesis of this research was to investigate the prevalence of hospital-acquired pressure injuries in intensive care units (ICUs) of the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

Methods: This study was designed as a systematic review and meta-analysis. All articles published on Pressure ulcer prevalence in the ICUs of hospitals in Eastern Mediterranean Region countries, identified by searching PubMed through MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar from January 1, 2011, until September 22, 2023. The reference lists of these articles were checked for additional relevant studies. Data were analyzed using the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Software (v.2.2.064).

Results: A total of 15 articles met the inclusion criteria. Based on the random-effects model, the overall Pressure ulcer prevalence rate was 16.6% (95% CI (8.6-29.6)). Both the highest and lowest prevalence was observed in Jordan in 2011 at 83.1% (95% CI (71.2- 90.7)) and in 2012 at 0.9% (95% CI (0.5- 1.5)), respectively. The results showed that publication year, average age, and sample size were the main causes of heterogeneity between the reviewed studies (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: This systematic review and meta-analysis of the pertinent peer-reviewed literature revealed a high prevalence of hospital-acquired pressure injuries of 16% in intensive care units of Eastern Mediterranean region. Therefore, it is necessary for health policymakers and managers in Eastern Mediterranean Region to take necessary measures to prevent the incidence of Pressure ulcers in hospitals, especially in ICUs.

Keywords: Adverse events; Eastern Mediterranean region; Hospitals-acquired pressure sores; Intensive care unit; Patient safety; Preventable complications.