Information and Communication Technology Can Increase Patient Participation in Pressure Injury Prevention

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the participatory capabilities of hospitalized older adults in response to the Continuous Bedside Pressure Mapping system placed on the beds to prevent pressure injuries. DESIGN: Descriptive study. SUBJECTS AND SETTING: A convenience sample of 31 orthopedic patients were recruited from an orthopedic rehabilitation unit at a university hospital in Uppsala, Sweden, that served patients aged 65 years and older. METHODS: Semistructured interviews were conducted between November 2016 and February 2017, audio-recorded, and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. RESULT: The overall theme from 21 interviews was "A new way of understanding helped patients to recognize vulnerable pressure points and to take action in their own care" from which 2 categories, "awareness" and "action," emerged. The study showed that verbally adapted information combined with using information and communication technology increased most participants' knowledge and as they became aware of increased pressure, they started to take preventative action by changing position. CONCLUSIONS: It is possible for older participants in a rehabilitation unit who had recent orthopedic surgery to understand and use new information and communication technology and should be invited to participate in pressure injury prevention.