Reducing Nosocomial Pressure Ulcers in an Acute Care Facility

Abstract

In 1996, a nursing committee at an acute care facility organized the first pressure ulcer point prevalence survey for that hospital. In 1996, hospital-acquired pressure ulcers were 90 percent of the predicted prevalence rate; in 1997, the rate dropped to 59 percent of the predicted prevalence and in 1998, to 53 percent of the predicted prevalence. The severity index decreased markedly from 291 (1996) to 98 (1997) then to 62 (1998). These improvements are attributed to the purposeful addition of multidimensional interventions, including best practices and research-based protocols, to prevent and treat nosocomial pressure ulcers.

Prospective Study

“…Evidence from studies on implementation of aggressive preventive interventions also suggests that the rate of hospitalacquired PUs tend to decline when preventive measures are instituted. 13,[22][23][24] Similar to the experiences of others, Turkish studies also show that PUs are common among patients in multiple healthcare settings, thus indicating the need for process improvement projects and studies focused on PU prevention. 15,16 The aims of this study were to evaluate the effects of (1) a PU prevention program that included an educational program on risk assessment and (2) PU prevention on the incidence of stage II PU in an intensive care population.…”

Using the braden and glasgow scales to predict pressure ulcer risk in patients hospitalized at intensive care units

“…It is, however, necessary that health professionals at all levels and in all situations become actively involved in order to change the current reality of health care services (7,12,13) . Undergraduate as well continuing nursing education programs should focus on how to use these scales, as well as their association with the identification of patients at risk for the development of PU, and Programs for Better Quality should focus on patient safety, following the example of countries where the PU rate has fallen (11,(17)(18) .…”

Reducing Hospital-Acquired Pressure Ulcer Prevalence Through a Focused Prevention Program

“…10,17,18 The resultant cost savings to the clinical agency, as well as the elimination of pain and suffering from a pressure ulcer for the patient, can significantly impact the cost and quality of care. & WANTED: …”