SCI-IEQCC Network and SCI-Ontario: Working together to develop and implement a skin check video resource for pressure injury prevention in spinal cord injury

Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury/Disease (SCI/D) face a high risk of developing pressure injuries (PI), which can significantly impact their health, well-being and the economic burden on the health care system. To help mitigate these risks, the Spinal Cord Injury Implementation and Evaluation Quality Care Consortium (SCI-IEQCC) identified gaps during the implementation of indicators in the tissue integrity domain, specifically in the area of patient education regarding daily skin checks. A collaborative effort involving SCI-IEQCC, Spinal Cord Injury Ontario (SCIO), and individuals with lived experiences was undertaken to develop a skin check video resource. The process involved engaging a multidisciplinary team and other relevant stakeholders, creating storyboards, filming, and developing iterative feedback loops. Challenges included balancing clinician and user needs. Despite these challenges, an instructional video was successfully developed and integrated into SCI rehabilitation settings across Ontario. The video demonstrates independent skin check and assisted skin check techniques and has been well-received, with 4,400 views to date. Implementation strategies varied across sites, reflecting local contexts and needs. Key findings include the importance of clear communication, stakeholder engagement, and iterative refinement. Future efforts will focus on sustaining and disseminating the video, including translating it into French and further integrating it into staff education.