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Information/Education Rep
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The implementation of pressure ulcer prevention strategies in a large health care system First Author: Deborah Berry Authors: Deborah Berry, RN, MSN, CWOCN, CPHQ Pressure ulcers represent an increasing problem in all healthcare settings1. Moreover, since pressure ulcers are considered an indicator of quality care, the failure to prevent or manage them is resulting in litigation.2 In response, MedStar Health Leadership chartered a system-wide, multidisciplinary task force to plan and implement an aggressive program to prevent and manage pressure ulcers across the care continuum. The purpose of this oral presentation is to describe the major components of this program, discuss its implementation across the MedStar system and review the process and outcome measures utilized to track progress and capture incidence. In January 2006 a multidisciplinary team of health care providers in acute, rehab, long-term and home care formed the MedStar Health Pressure Ulcer Prevention Task Force. The team identified best practice standards for prevention and completed a gap analysis to determine inconsistencies. Processes, cultural changes, and resources needed for implementation of best practice standards were identified and measurable outcome criteria were determined. Key components of the program include: risk assessment and early preventive interventions, skin and wound assessment, communication and documentation, and outcome measurement. All education materials, protocols, documentation forms etc. were designed by a system-wide content expert team and later approved by the Task Force. By November 2006 key stakeholder buy-in was obtained and the nurse executive at each site was charged with oversight and accountability for the program. Each site convened an implementation team to customizing the program to the individual site, plan an implementation strategy, complete the implementation, and monitor outcomes. |
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