A Qualitative Review of Communication Strategies of Evidence Based Pressure Ulcer Prevention in Two Nursing Homes with Diverse Levels of Information Technology

Communication Strategies used in Pressure Ulcer Prevention (PUP): A qualitative review high and low Information Technology Sophistication (ITS) in two nursing home facilities

Purpose: Explore communication strategies for evidence based PUP used in two nursing homes, one with high and one with low ITS.

Background: We investigated communication strategies used by two NHs with diverse ITS. ITS is defined as the maturity and diversity of technology used to support resident care, clinical support, and administration.

Methods: We conducted 12 focus groups with 26 staff members using a standardized set of questions. We selected two NHs, one with high ITS and one with low ITS. NHs were located in an urban setting, bedsize ranged from 60-78, and one was for profit and another not for profit. NVIVO 9 was used to identify themes about PUP communication strategies in IT systems.

Results:  Staff from NHs with high ITS verbalized benefits in accessing skin protocols, risk scales, and alerts. Staff from low ITS used verbal reports, paper reporting systems, and checklists to promote recommended skin care guidelines.  Email was not used consistently, but when it was used it facilitated greater information sharing and instruction on policies. Both facilities used online educational software that included skin care protocols. One facility had one computer to access educational programs onsite, while the other facility provided access to staff off site with passwords.

Conclusions: Efforts to improve communication strategies are focused on needs of individual resident and informational needs of NH staff. High ITS in NHs provides easier access to patient information and monitoring of needs and facilitates education related to skin care and pressure ulcer preventions.