When can documentation of pressure injury "present on admission" be completed during hospitalization?

The documentation of pressure injury "present on admission" must be completed within the first 24 hours of a patient's admission to the healthcare facility. This is critical as it establishes a baseline for the patient's skin integrity status upon entry into the facility, ensuring appropriate treatment, monitoring, and care planning can be initiated without delay.

The 24-hour window is specified to facilitate timely and accurate reporting, which can impact reimbursement and quality measures related to patient care. Within this timeframe, healthcare professionals can accurately assess any existing injuries and make informed decisions about treatment strategies. This also aligns with regulatory and accreditation standards that require prompt documentation of pre-existing conditions.

Once this window has passed, any pressure injuries that are identified would be documented as part of the patient's ongoing care rather than as present on admission, which could have implications for quality metrics and understanding of the patient's care trajectory.