title: Continuous automated pressure ulcer monitoring.
abstract: In the spring of 2002, the nurses working in a 300-bed Midwest care center embarked on a mission to decrease patient suffering from skin breakdown and pressure ulcers. A continuous automated pressure ulcer monitoring system was developed to improve decision making and identify educational needs. As a result, the nurses have changed the skin culture of the facility and positively affected the rate of hospital-acquired pressure ulcers and non-pressure-related breakdown.
authors.affiliation: Mercy Health Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA. ndobbs@ok.mercy.net
authors.forename: Nancy Ann
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Dobbs
authors.forename: Pam
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Spanbauer
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Datz
mesh_terms: D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D016018:Least-Squares Analysis; D016014:Linear Models; D016347:Medical Records Systems, Computerized / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015146:Midwestern United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D009720:Nurse Clinicians / Q000458:organization & administration*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009737:Nursing Records; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration; D015279:Organizational Culture; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015995:Prevalence; D016730:Program Development; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D017592:Skin Care / Q000451:nursing