Surveillance for Pressure Injuries on Admission to Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospitals During the COVID-19 Pandemic

OBJECTIVE: To determine if the incidence of pressure injuries (PIs) on admission to an inpatient rehabilitation hospital (IRH) system of care was increased during the early coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic period. DESIGN: Retrospective survey chart review of consecutive cohorts. Admissions to 4 acute IRHs within 1 system of care over the first consecutive 6-week period of admitting patients positive for COVID-19 during the initial peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, April 1-May 9, 2020. A comparison was made with the pre–COVID-19 period, January 1-February 19, 2020. SETTING: Four acute IRHs with admissions on a referral basis from acute care hospitals. PARTICIPANTS: A consecutive sample (N=1125) of pre–COVID-19 admissions (n=768) and COVID-19 period admissions (n=357), including persons who were COVID-19–positive (n=161) and COVID-19–negative (n=196). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence of PIs on admission to IRH. RESULTS: Prevalence of PIs on admission during the COVID-19 pandemic was increased when compared with the pre–COVID-19 period by 14.9% (P<.001). There was no difference in the prevalence of PIs in the COVID-19 period between patients who were COVID-19–positive and COVID-19–negative (35.4% vs 35.7%). The severity of PIs, measured by the wound stage of the most severe PI the patient presented with, worsened during the COVID-19 period compared with pre–COVID-19 (χ(2) 32.04%, P<.001). The length of stay in the acute care hospital before transfer to the IRH during COVID-19 was greater than pre–COVID-19 by 10.9% (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: During the early part of the COVID-19 pandemic time frame, there was an increase in the prevalence and severity of PIs noted on admission to our IRHs. This may represent the significant burden placed on the health care system by the pandemic, affecting all patients regardless of COVID-19 status. This information is important to help all facilities remain vigilant to prevent PIs as the pandemic continues and potential future pandemics that place strain on medical resources.