Vasopressors and Pressure Injury Risk in the Critically Ill

Webinar Summary

Pressure injuries continue to challenge and complicate patient care across populations and units. They still happen — in critically ill patients, especially — despite the best care and prevention modalities. Multiple studies point to vasopressor agents frequently used in critical care as significant contributors to that risk, although no conclusive results have been published.

How can the interprofessional staff intervene to prevent pressure injuries in critical care populations? This webinar will address unique issues facing critically ill patients that increase their risk of developing a pressure injury, including the use of vasopressor agents. The presentation will also review different types of wounds, explore best practices in maintaining skin integrity and discuss the 2019 Clinical Practice Guidelines* and recommendations.

*Prevention and Treatment of Pressure Ulcers/Injuries: Clinical Practice Guideline. The International Guideline, 3rd edition (2019).

Objectives

Discuss the evidence surrounding vasopressor agents as potential pressure injury risk factors
Differentiate between vasopressor-associated peripheral ischemia and pressure-related wounds
Consider methods to maintain skin integrity in patients on vasopressor agents

Presenter

Jill M Cox, PhD, RN, APN-C, CWOCN, FAAN

Jill Cox, a clinical associate professor at Rutgers University School of Nursing in New Brunswick, New Jersey, maintains an active clinical practice as a wound, ostomy and continence advanced practice nurse at nearby Englewood Health in Englewood. She is a member of the National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel’s board of directors, currently serving as its treasurer. Cox also sits on the editorial advisory board for the journal Advances in Skin and Wound Care, and is the U.S. representative for the World Council of Enterostomal Therapists’ education committee. In 2020, she was inducted as a fellow in the American Academy of Nursing. In addition, Cox actively engages in a published program of research focused on pressure injuries, with a specific focus on pressure injury risk in the adult critical care population.

Continuing Education Disclosure Statement

Successful Completion

Learners must attend/view/read the entire activity and complete the associated evaluation to be awarded the contact hours or CERP. No partial credit will be awarded.

Disclosure

This activity has been reviewed by the Nurse Planner. It has been determined that the material presented here shows no bias. No conflicts of interest have been identified for any individual with the ability to influence the content of this activity. Accreditation refers to recognition of continuing education only and does not imply AACN or ANCC approval or endorsement of any commercial products discussed or displayed in conjunction with this educational activity.

Accreditation

The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's (ANCC's) Commission on Accreditation, ANCC Provider Number 0012. AACN has been approved as a provider of continuing education in nursing by the California State Board of Nursing (CBRN), California Provider number CEP 1036. This activity is approved for 1.00 contact hours.

AACN programming meets the standards for most states that require mandatory continuing education contact hours for license and/or certification renewal. AACN recommends consulting with your state board of nursing or credentialing organization before submitting CE to fulfill continuing education requirements.

Refund Policy

Continuing Education Activities are nonrefundable.