Prevention of nosocomial pressure ulcers: a process improvement project.
Nosocomial pressure ulcers (PU) occur in approximately 12% of all hospitalized patients. The risk can be determined by a variety of intrinsic and extrinsic factors. As a first line of defense against nosocomial PU, we use the Braden Scale to determine the potential risk of PU development during hospitalization. Once risk was identified, our standard was to implement an individualized plan of care. However, consistent implementation of PU preventative measures was lacking. As a result, a process improvement project was developed and implemented. The purpose of this process improvement project was to increase communication about and awareness of the need to vigorously intervene and document whenever there is risk of, or development of, a nosocomial PU. By initiating consistent use of a PU Tracking Form, developing unit-based wound champions that serve as experts in ulcer prevention, and creating an individual case analysis process, PU prevention and tracking was institutionalized. Results indicate that our nosocomial PU rate has declined from 7% to 4%.
Wound Ostomy Management Team, Memorial Medical Center, Springfield, IL 62781-0001, USA. Stoelting.joyce@mhsil.com
Joyce
J
Stoelting
Linda
L
McKenna
Elizabeth
E
Taggart
Rosalie
R
Mottar
Brenda Recchia
BR
Jeffers
M Cecilia
MC
Wendler
D003625:Data Collection; D005568:Forms and Records Control; D006760:Hospitalization; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017064:Process Assessment, Health Care; D018570:Risk Assessment