WOC Nursing Role in Developing a Multidisciplinary Pressure Injury Prevention program

 Background: 
SAFE SKIN Campaign
Minnesota Hospital Association is conducting a "SAFE SKIN" initiative aimed at preventing serious pressure injuries in hospital patients. The program was launched in February 2007 with a day long seminar.  This was attended by nurses throughout the state of Minnesota.  Currently 93 Minnesota hospitals are participating.
 Pressure Ulcers:  Stage 3,4, and Unstageable hospital acquired pressure injuries are one of the 28 never events that each hospital is required to report to the State of Minnesota.  Most pressure injuries are preventable.  Patient risk factors need to be identified.
Healthcare Providers need to take responsibility to implement prevention programs directing  the prevention of nosocomial pressure injury.
CWOCN (Certified Wound Ostomy Nurses) nurses have the knowledge and expertise in wound and ostomy.  They direct the plan of care, support, and promote specific skilled nursing interventions in the prevention of pressure injury

Objective/Goal:   

Goal of the quality improvement project to prevent pressure ulcers by providing care givers with the resources needed at the point of care.

Methods Developed:
- Skin Integrity web site identifies skin care prevention, resources, and education links

-  Skin Integrity Team

-  Policy/Procedure for compression stockings

-  Standardized nursing orientation focusing on risk prevention, skin assessment, and    Braden assessments/Interventions

-  Iceberg Logo to recognize at risk patients

-         Excellian flow sheets documentation revised

-         Algorithm  directing care for patients at Risk

-         Standardized measurement including point prevalence, coded data, and Patient Safety Visitor Reporting around Pressure Injury

-         Mandatory Education learning packet

-         Skin Integrity Team created the “Polar Bear” Image standing for, “Only we can prevent Pressure Injury”.    RESULTS:
Standardization of tools and resources to prevent pressure ulcers has been achieved. Prevelance and Incidence studies reflect a decrease in pressure injury.    One of the hospital within the system reported pressure injury decreased 58%.