Researchers evaluated the effect of the Healthy Skin Project, a multidisciplinary initiative to reduce hospital-acquired pressure ulcers, in a surgical progressive care unit at Sharp Grossmont Hospital in San Diego.
The project included three components:
1. A unit-based wound liaison nurse. The nurse conducted bimonthly skin audits to monitor compliance with practice and documentation standards.
2. Staff education. Staff learned proper practice through a self-learning module, case presentations, one-one-one training and an algorithm tool that demonstrated step-by-step wound management and documentation.
3. Involvement of the nursing assistants.
Before implementation, from 2003 through 2006, the rate of hospital-acquired pressure ulcers ranged from 0 to 18.92 percent with an average of 4.85 percent. After implementation of the project, the rate dropped to 0 percent for 17 of 20 quarters through 2011.
More Articles on Pressure Ulcers:
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CMS Proposes Hospital-Acquired Condition Reduction Program Provisions
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