The role of interventional patient hygiene in improving clinical and economic outcomes.
OBJECTIVE
To successfully educate, integrate, and empower nonlicensed personnel in the surgical intensive care unit in the use of a skin care protocol to maintain and improve skin integrity.


METHODS
Observational intervention study.


METHODS
Surgical intensive care unit.


METHODS
Data related to alterations in skin integrity were collected over 4 months, representing approximately 2000 patient-days. A total of 97 specific events representing 121 "areas of concern" were identified by nonlicensed personnel.


METHODS
Nonlicensed staff members' knowledge in 6 key areas related to pressure ulcer (PrU) development was surveyed before and after implementation of an interventional patient hygiene (IPH) program incorporating comprehensive bathing and incontinence protocols. A unique point-of-use skin inspection tool was used by nonlicensed personnel to communicate areas of concern to licensed personnel (registered nurses [RNs]).


METHODS
Reduction in PrUs and improvement in nonlicensed staff knowledge of facility protocols.


RESULTS
Incidence of new PrUs decreased from 7.14% at baseline to 0% at the end of the study. Nonlicensed staff knowledge increased to 100% in all 6 knowledge areas.


CONCLUSIONS
Implementation of an IPH program incorporating comprehensive bathing and incontinence management resulted in enhanced communication between nonlicensed staff and RNs as well as improved patient outcomes.
Carr
Devin
D
Surgery and Trauma Patient Care Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
Benoit
Richard
R
D003422:Critical Care / Q000191:economics; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000191:economics / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000191:economics / Q000451:nursing / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017592:Skin Care / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States; D000078329:Workforce