Results of a clinician-led evidence-based task force initiative relating to pressure ulcer risk assessment and prevention.
Integration of research findings into clinical practice is essential for achieving cost-effective, quality patient outcomes. Data confirm that nursing care in most settings is "empiric" and is based largely on untested assumptions, as opposed to being evidence-based. Process improvement efforts must engage clinicians in initiatives that promote the integration of research into clinical practice and acceptance of shared professional accountability for sustaining needed change. A clinician-led task force was assembled to identify and apply current evidence to clinical practice in the areas of risk assessment and prevention of hospital-acquired pressure ulcers in the inpatient setting. Data collected prior to and following our process improvement project demonstrated significant improvement in patient outcomes.
Young
Judith
J
School of Nursing, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46151, USA. juayoung@iupui.edu
Ernsting
Mary
M
Kehoe
Amira
A
Holmes
Kathleen
K
D026683:Advisory Committees; D002983:Clinical Competence; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007297:Inpatients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000451:nursing* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D018570:Risk Assessment; D017592:Skin Care / Q000451:nursing; D017749:Total Quality Management; D014481:United States