Sepsis episodes caused by pressure injuries in critical illness: A retrospective observational cohort study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Critically -ill patients (CIPs) with pressure injuries (PIs) may develop bloodstream infections (BSIs). PURPOSE: To identify predisposing factors and discuss diagnosis and management of sepsis -related PIs in CIPs. METHODS: The records of CIPs in the intensive care unit (ICU) between January 1, 2014, and January 1, 2020, with PI with sepsis -diagnoses and with different site cultures that were positive concurrent with bloodstream -cultures were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Ninety-one sepsis episodes were included in the study. Low albumin level ( U = 382.00, P = .006), renal failure (odds ratio [OR], 0.108 [95% CI, 0.015-0.783]; P = .025), and length of ICU stay ( U = 130.00, P < .001) were identified as risk factors of BSIs due to PIs. The probability of BSI during a sepsis episode was lower in CIPs with PIs with higher C -reactive protein levels ( U = 233.00, P < .001) and whose injury resulted from trauma or surgery (OR, 0.101 [95% CI, 0.016-0.626]; P = .014). The mortality was higher in CIPs with PI -induced BSIs (OR, 0.051 [95% CI, 0.008-0.309]; P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: Pressure injury -induced sepsis was associated with a high risk of 28 -day mortality. The findings suggest that CIPs with PI are at increased risk of BSIs if they have low albumin levels, renal -failure, and prolonged ICU stay during sepsis episodes.