Developing a decision support tool to prevent community-acquired pressure injuries in spinal cord injury in ambulatory care: A nurse-led protocol for mix methods research

Background: There is a lack of formal guidelines and decision support tools to prevent community-acquired pressure injuries (CAPrIs) in Veterans with spinal cord injury (SCI). Purpose: In this article we present our research protocol that describes our plans to create and test a decision support tool to prevent CAPrIs in SCI. Methods: In Aim 1, we identified mental-models of CAPrI prevention from the perspectives of Veterans (using photovoice, guided tours), and Veterans Health Administration SCI providers (using interviews), and triangulation to compare the two mental-models. This led to a decision support tool developed and validated using Delphi approaches in Aim 2 and will be followed by tool automation and system redesign for pilot implementation in Aim 3. Findings: The nurse-led research protocol provides a map to systematically explore, address and translate research into evidence-based practice. Discussion: Refinement of the protocol will guide future research and implementation.

Automated summary

This article outlines a research protocol aimed at creating and testing a decision support tool to prevent community-acquired pressure injuries in individuals with spinal cord injury. The methods include identifying mental models of CAPrI prevention from different perspectives and developing and validating a decision support tool using Delphi approaches.