Research Article

Determination of Pressure Injury Risk Factors in COVID-19 Patients Hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit

Volume: 10 Number: 3 September 15, 2025
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Determination of Pressure Injury Risk Factors in COVID-19 Patients Hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to determine the risk factors for pressure injury in COVID-19 in intensive care unit. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted using COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit archive data from April 2020 to July 2022. The study included patients aged 18 and over, with no pre-existing pressure injury, at high risk (Braden Score not between 6-12), and hospitalized in the ICU for at least 24 hours. Results: A pressure injury developed in 25.2% of the patients. Among those who developed a pressure injury, 79.4% were classified as Stage I, characterized by redness, and 36.8% of the injuries occurred in the sacral region. A significant difference was observed in relation to age, length of stay, Braden score, albumin levels, hemoglobin levels, oxygen levels, and medications used between patients with pressure injuries and those without (p <0.05). The Braden scale was used for risk assessment. Factors independently associated with pressure injury were hemoglobin (1.398 [1.122-1.742]), hemoglobin (0.067 [0.007-0.643]), high-dose steroids (0.026 [0.002-0.317]) and oxygen (0.108 [0.012-0.964]). Conclusions: It was found that stage I developed in patients, and the most pressure injuries were in the sacrum. The risk of pressure injury was associated with the Braden score, hemoglobin, high-dose steroids, and oxygen. Nurses should evaluate the risk of developing pressure injury in the intensive care unit. They should minimize the conditions that will threaten the safety of patients at risk.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

Written approval to conduct the study was obtained from the Non-Interventional Clinical Research Ethics Committee of Cukurova University Faculty of Medicine (Date: 13.05.2022, decision no: 52). The requirement for individual patient consent was waived by the Clinical Research Ethics Committee due to the retrospective and anonymous nature of the study. The study was conducted in accordance with the tenets of the Declaration of Helsinki.

Thanks

Thank you to all patients and colleagues at Cukurova University Hospital COVID-19 ICU Departments in Turkey.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Surgical Diseases Nursing​​

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

September 15, 2025

Submission Date

March 24, 2025

Acceptance Date

August 19, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 10 Number: 3

AMA
1.Tura I, Üstünel F, Erden S. Determination of Pressure Injury Risk Factors in COVID-19 Patients Hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit. OTJHS. 2025;10(3):232-238. doi:10.26453/otjhs.1664017

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