Provider perspectives of community-acquired pressure injury prevention in veterans with spinal cord injury

Abstract

Context/Objective

Community-acquired pressure injuries (CAPrI) are a common and costly complication of spinal cord injury (SCI). Most studies and interventions focus on the prevention of pressure injuries acquired in the hospital. The goal of this study is to better understand SCI provider perspectives of the risks, actions and resources needed to prevent CAPrIs.

Design

Qualitative descriptive, semi-structured interviews of SCI providers analyzed using a deductive-inductive approach.

Setting

Three geographically different veteran health administration spinal cord injury/disorder centers.

Participants

30 interprofessional SCI providers.

Interventions

Not applicable.

Outcome Measures

Provider perspective of risks, actions and resources for CAPrI prevention in veterans with SCI.

Results

30 interviews revealed a model of provider perspectives of CAPrI prevention including veteran risk characteristics, veteran preventive activities and provider, family, community caregiving resources.

Conclusion

Understanding provider perspectives of Veteran CAPrI preventive risks, actions and resources guides more appropriate interventions to prevent CAPrIs in individuals living with SCI.

Keywords:

• Spinal cord injury
• Provider perspectives
• Community-acquired pressure injury
• veterans

Acknowledgement

The authors would like to acknowledge Felicia Bixler, MS for her contributions during the early stages of this project.

Conflicts of interest The authors have no conflicts of interest.

Funding This work was supported by Individual Initiated Research Award (IIR 16-267, PI-Burkhart) from the United States (U.S.) Department of VA Health Services Research and Development Service. The contents do not represent the views of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Government.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Individual Initiated Research Award (IIR) number 16-267 from the United States (U.S.) Department of Veterans Affairs Health Services Research and Development Service. The contents do not represent the views of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Government.