New Clinical Paper – Literature Review

New Clinical Paper – Literature Review

Title: Moisture accumulation detection technologies for identifying pressure injuries: a literature review

Date: June 2022 in Wound Practice and Research

Authors: Madeline A Bone, Sharon Latimer, Rachel M Walker and Brigid M Gillespie

Study Location: Griffith University, Queensland, Australia

Aim: To describe the effectiveness of two moisture accumulation detection technologies – ultrasound imaging and subepidermal moisture (SEM) – for identifying the early development of PI in comparison to the standard visual skin assessment (VSA).

 Methodology

• The research question identified was as follows: What is the most accurate method for detecting the incidence of PI in adults in comparison to visual skin assessments?
• A systematic search of MEDLINE, CINAHL and Embase databases was undertaken using MeSH terms. The quality of the research was evaluated using a Mixed Method Appraisal Tool (MMAT).
• Peer-reviewed quantitative studies published in English between 2011 and September 2021 were included.
• Studies that used the SEM scanner or ultrasound (any brand) were included.
• Alternate bedside PI detection technologies (i.e., thermography, alternative light sources, spectrophotometry) were excluded because they do not detect PI using moisture accumulation or oedema.

Results and Key Findings

• A total of seven studies were included in the review; two using ultrasound and 5 using the SEM scanner.
• One of two ultrasound studies included SEM as a comparator to evaluate the consistency between SEM and ultrasound examinations of sDTI (Gefen and Gershon, 2018)
• Findings suggest that the SEM scanner was an effective adjunct tool for identifying PI earlier than VSA.

• Findings suggest that SEM is a more accurate method for detecting early signs of tissue damage compared to VSA.

• Findings support the use of the SEM scanner for early identification of PIs.

Key Quotes

“The review findings suggest the use of the SEM scanner is a more accurate and consistent method for detecting early signs of tissue damage in patients compared to standard VSA”.

“The SEM sensitivity of >80% reported in the studies is in stark contrast to the reported 50% sensitivity of VSA for PI detection”.

Reference: Bone, M.A., Latimer, S., Walker, R.M. and Gillespie, B.M., 2022. Moisture accumulation detection technologies for identifying pressure injuries: a literature review. Wound Practice & Research, 30(4).