1. Topic:  Administrative Support as a Key Intervention to Decrease the        Number of Hospital Acquired Pressure Ulcers

Pressure ulcers remain a serious problem nationwide presenting an ongoing challenge. The number of hospital patients with pressure ulcers increased from 280,000 to 455,000 in the period from 1993 to 2003. This represents a 63% increase (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2006).  Pressure ulcers have assumed a position of high priority as a quality indicator. The Valley Hospital's mantra “The patient is at the center of all we do” is exhibited in the success in maintaining a consistently low incidence of pressure ulcers - directly related to the Wound Ostomy Continence Nurses' comprehensive approach to patient care specific to pressure relief. The patient population has greatly benefited from the mutual support and collaboration between the Wound Ostomy Continence Department and the Board of Trustees, Administration, Nursing, Medical Staff, and all members of the healthcare team. 

2. Purpose:  To explain the direct correlation between a supportive administration and a low incidence of pressure ulcers.

3. Objective: To demonstrate that organizational support can have a significant impact on the number of hospital acquired pressure ulcers. The Valley Hospital administration has supported the use of Information Systems to customize statistical reports specific to pressure ulcers, enabling justification of the purchase of state-of-the-art mattress systems.  Nursing Administration has aggressively supported the growth of the WOCN Department to meet the ongoing needs of the patients. This WOCN Department has a dedicated member on the Performance Improvement Council directly involved in the Plan, Do, Check, Act process. Results of this comprehensive hospital-wide commitment to excellence will be demonstrated with data collected over an eight-year period.

4. Outcomes: Pressure ulcer incidence was assessed over an eight-year period and noted to be consistently below nationally reported data.