Prevention of Pressure Injury (PI) in Hospitalised Infants, Children, and Young People (CYP) (Aged 0-19 Years)

What is the problem? Children and young people admitted to hospital can sometimes be harmed by what is called a pressure injury. Pressure injuries are sores (ulcers) that happen on areas of the skin that are under pressure. The pressure can come from lying in bed, sitting in a wheelchair, or wearing a cast for a long time. They usually form on bony parts of the body, such as the heels, elbows, hips, and tailbone. This can be uncomfortable for the patient and distressing for their families. As well, it means that more staff and treatments are needed for the patient.

What is known? There is a difference in pressure injury seriousness for infants and children with dark skin tones to those without. Pressure injury care for hospitalised patients starts with an assessment using a tool. In the past, the assessment tools were developed without consideration for differences due to skin tone. This means that the current tools may not be the best way to identify pressure injury for dark skin tones. Healthcare professionals need to make sure that tools are fit for purpose for all.

What are investigators going to do? Investigators will work with healthcare professionals, children, and parents together to develop and test the existing pressure injury risk assessment tool for use with dark skin tones.

This study is a result of care priority discussions with parents and children. It came from the patients and will benefit the patients. Children, young people, and parents will be involved throughout to ensure their voices are heard.

How are investigators going to do it?

Investigators will:

1. Look at existing information about pressure injury for children with darker skin tones. If required, investigators will change and increase the accuracy of the existing tool. 2. Test the modified risk assessment tool at 10 children's hospitals in the UK. Investigators will do this to see if it can distinguish hospitalised children with dark skin tones, at high or low risk of pressure injury development during their hospital stay.