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PURPOSE/PROBLEM: In 2000, this facility identified a 24% incident rate of acute care nosocomial pressure ulcers, inconsistent skin assessments and lack of a skin care plan.
OBJECTIVE: To develop a skin care prevention program. The national average incidence rate of 7% was set as our short term goal, with 0% as our long term goal.
METHOD: Prevalence and Incidence studies were done quarterly from 2003-2006 and bi-annually from 2006-2008. A Skin Team was formed, with a team member/champion serving each nursing unit. A skin care prevention plan was developed and continuously revised, as we narrowed our focus and learned from each setback and triumph. The shift assessment was revised and prevention strategies implemented, including changes in documentation processes, house-wide education and pressure redistribution surfaces. Other prevention initiatives included revising our skin/wound care product formulary, implementation of the Braden Scale and the development of Braden Score Interventions, skin/wound care protocols, the four-eyed admission body check, with two nurses checking the patient’s skin from head to toe, the “Pressure Points” flyer to facilitate skin care communication, a paging system to remind the staff of turn times and a magnetic “turn clock” to standardize the turning schedule and identify at risk patients at the bedside.
OUTCOME: In 2008, we met our long term goal with two successive incidence rates of 0%. Since 2003, an estimated 799 pressure ulcers have been prevented, with a cost savings between $399,500 and $31,960,000. Supply savings are estimated at $102,000 annually. In 2006, this facility was recognized by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement as aMentor Hospital for Pressure Ulcer Reduction in the 5 Million Lives Campaign. In 2007 this facilities’ skin care prevention program was featured in the The Wall Street Journal.
OBJECTIVE: To develop a skin care prevention program. The national average incidence rate of 7% was set as our short term goal, with 0% as our long term goal.
METHOD: Prevalence and Incidence studies were done quarterly from 2003-2006 and bi-annually from 2006-2008. A Skin Team was formed, with a team member/champion serving each nursing unit. A skin care prevention plan was developed and continuously revised, as we narrowed our focus and learned from each setback and triumph. The shift assessment was revised and prevention strategies implemented, including changes in documentation processes, house-wide education and pressure redistribution surfaces. Other prevention initiatives included revising our skin/wound care product formulary, implementation of the Braden Scale and the development of Braden Score Interventions, skin/wound care protocols, the four-eyed admission body check, with two nurses checking the patient’s skin from head to toe, the “Pressure Points” flyer to facilitate skin care communication, a paging system to remind the staff of turn times and a magnetic “turn clock” to standardize the turning schedule and identify at risk patients at the bedside.
OUTCOME: In 2008, we met our long term goal with two successive incidence rates of 0%. Since 2003, an estimated 799 pressure ulcers have been prevented, with a cost savings between $399,500 and $31,960,000. Supply savings are estimated at $102,000 annually. In 2006, this facility was recognized by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement as a