TOPIC: An initiative to implement an all-encompassing Wound Program at Cape Canaveral Hospital began in the fall of 2001 and continues today. Through this initiative, we have worked to improve patient outcomes, patient safety, create a healthy work environment for nurses,and promote the use of evidence-based nursing practice, in a fiscally responsible manner. RATIONAL: Convinced an area of patient care upon which we could have an important positive impact led to the development of an interdisciplinary Wound Resource Team, affectionately known as the “WORT's”. METHOD & FOCUS: • Development of evidence-based wound management protocols. • Skin assessment policies including q12 hour assessment of patients using the Braden Assessment Tool • Quarterly pressure ulcer prevalence & incidence surveys • Participation in the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators (NDNQI). • Participation in skills fairs, lunch & learns, in-services to go, and provision of expert speakers on wounds and pressure ulcer care to enhance staff education. • Facilitation of staff participation in trials of products and equipment. • Evidence-based standardization of wound and skin care products. • Organizationally standardized continence care. • A 2005 WORT team offshoot in the formation of a Pressure Ulcer Prevention team, known as the PUP's, consisting of Certified Nursing Assistants. With the education provided to this new team, they are able to function as major front line assistance to the maintenance of skin integrity in our patients. • A 2005 establishment of a Lift/Turning Team to promote & support skin integrity. OUTCOME: One of the new JCAHO National Patient Safety Goals for 2006 is Goal #14: Prevention of health care associated pressure ulcers. Cape Canaveral Hospital's Wound Program is poised and ready for this important patient safety initiative, and our multi-faceted focus remains improving the outcomes in maintenance of skin integrity of the patient's that we serve.