A comparative study between usage and efficiency of TIME tool versus PUSH tool for the assessment of pressure injury among intensive care patients

Background: Pressure injuries are a significant concern among patients admitted to intensive care units due to prolonged immobility, critical illness, and use of medical devices. Accurate wound assessment is essential for effective management and improved patient outcomes. This study aimed to compare the usage and efficiency of the TIME framework and the Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing (PUSH) tool in assessing pressure injuries among intensive care patients.

Methods: A quantitative comparative observational study was conducted among 60 patients aged 40 years and above admitted to various intensive care units of a tertiary care hospital in Chennai. Thirty patients were assessed using the TIME tool and thirty using the PUSH tool. Data were collected using structured demographic and clinical assessment tools and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results: The PUSH tool demonstrated greater ease of use and consistency in scoring, while the TIME tool provided a more comprehensive clinical assessment of wound bed preparation. No statistically significant association was found between selected demographic variables and either tool score (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: Both the PUSH and TIME tools are effective in pressure injury assessment. The PUSH tool is suitable for routine monitoring, whereas the TIME framework supports detailed clinical decision-making. Using both tools complementarily may optimize wound management in intensive care settings.