Nursing Attendants' Vital Role in Pressure Ulcer Prevention

In March 2011, The Wound Ostomy Continence Nurses within a 650 bed facility kicked off the Nursing Attendant Skin Champion team. The series of workshops was implemented to stress the importance of pressure ulcer prevention at the primary level of patient interaction. The goal of the collaboration between the Wound Ostomy Continence nurses and Nursing Attendants is to achieve the objective of preventing pressure ulcer damage and moisture related skin damage at the bedside. Moreover, by teaching nursing assistants proper wound care terminology, it has enhanced communication between the nursing assistants and staff nurses on the units. Collegiality was unexpected a result of the workshops.

Understanding that Nursing Attendants play a vital role in the basic care of our patients will help reach the hospital’s goal of zero hospital acquired pressure ulcers. The monthly workshops are 30 minutes with the skin/ wound specific objectives tailored to preventing pressure damage and using available resources to prevent skin damage. With the support of nursing leadership, nursing assistants who volunteer to attend the class will be responsible for disseminating what they learned to peers who could not attend. The monthly workshops are a way to improve Nursing Attendant’s skills, knowledge, and to promote job enrichment, enabling them to provide better care to their patients.