Use of polyurethane foam to prevent continuous electroencephalography-induced pressure injuries in children.

Abstract

<h4>Objective</h4>Strategies for preventing continuous electroencephalography (CEEG)-induced pressure injuries (PIs) are scarce. This study aimed to investigate the effect of the placement of polyurethane foam between the electrodes on the frontal forehead and on the back of the head in preventing CEEG-induced PIs in paediatric patients.<h4>Method</h4>Patients aged <18 years who underwent CEEG overnight, between 1 April 2020 and 31 December 2021, were included in this retrospective study. Patients were divided into non-polyurethane and polyurethane groups based on the method of electrode attachment. An additional procedure was performed in the polyurethane group; a 5mm thick polyurethane foam and silicone-faced wound dressing mesh were attached between the electrodes on the frontal forehead, and a 4cm thick piece of polyurethane foam was placed on the back of the head for patients unable to change their head position. The primary outcome was the injury prevention rate in the polyurethane group.<h4>Results</h4>A total of 77 patients were included in the non-polyurethane group and 65 patients were included in the polyurethane group. The incidence of PIs was 1 (1.5%) and 5 (6.5%) in the polyurethane and non-polyurethane groups, respectively. The PI prevention rate in the polyurethane group was 77%.<h4>Conclusion</h4>In this study, the method of placing polyurethane foam during CEEG prevented CEEG-induced PIs. The method can be easily implemented in various facilities owing to its simple and inexpensive nature.