Improving the Quarterly Pressure Ulcer Data Collection Process

Purpose:  To improve the quarterly pressure ulcer data collection process as well as provide an educational opportunity.

Objective:  The institution’s previous data collection method was arduous and suspected as yielding inaccurate data.  Poor quality data may not be reflective of current practice or accurately capture areas for improvement.  Educational opportunities on prevention, assessment, and staging were being missed. 

Outcome:  A literature search and expert opinions related to how prevalence studies were conducted in other institutions revealed certain salient points concerning the process:  team approach, use of skin care council members, administrative buy-in, team compensation, education, and using the process to assess practice deficiencies and successes.   The newly formed team comprised of Skin Care Council members who are nurses, therapists, and patient care technicians, perform bedside education during the data collection process.  By including additional staff nurses, physical, and occupational therapists who are not Council members, we increased the day’s educational value.  The day is divided into sections: opening lecture, data collection, lunch lecture, data entry, and process evaluation.  Lectures define the purpose of prevalence/incidence studies, assessment, staging, and prevention.    Additionally, guest speakers present on support surfaces, prevention programs, treatment measures, and relevant case studies.

The revised process reduced collection time from 8 to 2.5 hours.  “Glitches” in the hospital information system affecting data were detected and corrected.   Besides the process improving, we have seen a reduction in our NDNQI pressure ulcer data.  Staff describes the day as the “best hands-on” educational experience.  The Council members have become stronger resources for their nursing units because of this experience. 

The prevalence process provides staff with learning opportunities for assessment, staging, and prevention strategies.  Our new process has helped identify issues and improvements needed in the data collection process and pressure ulcer prevention strategies.