title: Recording pressure ulcer risk assessment and incidence.
abstract: This article reports on the introduction of an innovative computer-based system developed to record and report pressure ulcer risk and incidence at an acute NHS trust. The system was introduced to ensure that all patients have an early pressure ulcer risk assessment, which prompts staff to initiate appropriate management if a pressure ulcer is detected, thereby preventing further patient harm. Initial findings suggest that this electronic process has helped to improve the timeliness and accuracy of data on pressure ulcer risk and incidence. In addition, it has resulted in a reduced number of reported hospital-acquired pressure ulcers.
authors.affiliation: Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust, Bath, England.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Plaskitt
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: Michaela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arrowsmith
mesh_terms: D057286:Electronic Health Records; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Electronic patient records; Rapid Spread Methodology; pressure ulcer; pressure ulcer incidence; risk assessment; technology