Reporting medical device-related pressure ulcers: An international Delphi consensus study

Background: Pressure ulcers that are caused from the application of medical devices for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes are commonly observed in acute care environments. Despite an improved understanding of the factors causing these wounds, there is no current consensus on reporting. Objective: To develop an international consensus for reporting medical device related pressure ulcers. Design: A modified RAND/UCLA Delphi study. Settings: International experts from clinical, academic and industrial stakeholder. Participants: 95 international clinicians and tissue viability experts. Methods: A Delphi survey was developed through literature review and qualitative synthesis. It was electronically disseminated through gate keepers to international experts in the field, with three rounds of consensus feedback. Median values and Disagreement Index from Likert scales were used to establish consensus. Results: The panel achieved consensus for reporting MDRPUs which included 30 items across 5 Themes which included i) Recording medical device care, ii) Reporting medical device-related pressure ulcer, iii) Device specific reporting, iv) Ulcer reporting and v) patient information. Conclusions: This is the first international study to develop consensus on medical device related pressure ulcer reporting. This could be used to support standardised international reporting to improve care standards. Tweetable abstract: This international Delphi consensus study established a core reporting data set for medical device related pressure ulcers. This study will inform the design of future reporting tools to support standardised practice.e.g. Tweetable abstract: international consensus on medical device related pressure injury monitoring @EPUAP @NPIAP @SkinSensing.