title: A quality improvement programme to reduce pressure ulcers.
abstract: This article outlines an innovative way of preventing pressure ulcers in the acute hospital setting. A programme using Rapid Spread Methodology was undertaken to reduce hospital-acquired pressure ulcers over a short period of time. Results demonstrated a reduction to zero in the prevalence of hospital-acquired pressure ulcers and an 80% reduction in their incidence, in a six-month period.
authors.affiliation: Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust, Bath, England.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Heywood
authors.affiliation: Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust, Bath, England.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.affiliation: Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust, Bath, England.
authors.forename: Michaela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arrowsmith
authors.affiliation: Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust, Bath, England.
authors.forename: Alexa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Poppleston
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006113:United Kingdom
keywords: Change management; Rapid Spread Methodology; pressure ulcer incidence; pressure ulcer prevalence; pressure ulcer prevention; pressure ulcers