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Informational/Educational Report
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Tracking interventions to prevent hospital-acquired pressure ulcers Joyce Stoelting, RN-C, CWS, Rosalie Mottar, RN, BS, Linda McKenna, RN, CWOCN, Elizabeth Taggart, RN, WOCN, Tammy Berry, RN Nosocomial pressure ulcers occur in approximately 12% of all hospitalized patients. The risk can be determined by a variety of intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Our hospital utilizes the Braden Scale to determine a patient's risk level for developing a pressure ulcer. Analysis of our quality improvement data indicated that we had room for improvement in application of pressure ulcer prevention measures. Our Wound/Ostomy Management Team developed a tracking form based on the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators (NDNQI) pressure ulcer prevalence form. By using this data, we can establish standards to reduce the severity and prevent the occurrence of pressure ulcers in specific patient types. The tracking form identifies associated risk factors, patient diagnosis, and preventive measures implemented at the time the pressure ulcer site was identified. The form is available online for easy accessibility of all departments. A separate tracking form is initiated for each hospital acquired pressure ulcer. In order to incorporate a multidisciplinary approach, the form is faxed to the Wound/Ostomy Management Team, our Risk Management staff and Dieticians. Each unit's Unit Based Council analyzes their data to determine practice changes to prevent further development of pressure ulcers. The Wound/Ostomy Management Team functions as a resource service to assist with assessment and treatment of pressure ulcers. Individual patient units are accountable for identifying patients at risk for pressure ulcer development. Trending this data will help identify the units who demonstrate the best patient outcomes. In communicating their interventions to other units, we anticipate a further reduction in hospital acquired pressure ulcer prevalence and improved patient outcomes. Maklebust J, Sieggreen M. Pressure ulcers: guidelines for prevention and management..Springhouse, 2001 Gunningberg L. Are patients with or at risk of pressure ulcers allocated appropriate .prevention measures? Int J Nurs Pract. 2005;11(2):58Ð67 Schultz, A. Predicting and preventing pressure ulcers in surgical patients. AORN.2005;81(5):986Ð1006.. |
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