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Purpose: The purpose of this program was to increase organizational resources dedicated to the prevention of Hospital Acquired Pressure Ulcers (HAPUs).
Objective: To extend the reach and scope of the Skin Care Team Champions and Certified Wound Care Nurses (CWCN’s) by creating a Senior Skin Care Team with a system-wide focus on HAPU prevention.
The wound care department at a Midwestern academic teaching hospital recognized the need to expand the knowledge and reach of its unit based Skin Care Team champions. Nine nurses were recognized as having ten years or more of dedicated service on the Skin Care Team and represent three different specialties (Medical-Surgical, Hematology/Oncology and Medical/Surgical Intensive Care Unit). A new role of Senior Skin Care Team champions was created for these nurses, focusing on system-wide HAPU prevention. These Senior Skin Care Team nurses are provided dedicated time to be involved in activities surrounding skin care. In addition to their usual Skin Care Team responsibilities, responsibilities of these senior nurses include, but not limited to: mentoring new Skin Care Team champions, developing evidenced-based protocols for prevention of medical device related pressure ulcers, and targeting resources towards units with HAPUs.
Two of the nine Senior Skin Care Team champions were presented with the opportunity to attend a WOCN accredited wound care program. A trustee endowment afforded the two Senior Skin Care Team champions with the financial ability to participate in the wound care program to become CWCNs.
Outcomes: Through this unique opportunity, longstanding Skin Care Team nurses have been provided additional opportunities to enhance their skillset and provide additional resources to the bedside to prevent HAPU. Part of a larger organizational initiative, the efforts of the Senior Skin Care Team champions have contributed to a 79% overall reduction in the hospital’s HAPU rates over the past 2 fiscal years.