Reducing hospital-acquired pressure ulcer prevalence through a focused prevention program.

OBJECTIVE

To provide health care organizations with strategies for decreasing the prevalence of hospital-acquired pressure ulcers.

DESIGN

Hospital-acquired pressure ulcer prevalence was measured every 6 months for 4.5 years while multiple strategies were implemented.

SETTING

The study took place in a not-for-profit, 548-bed, 2-hospital system in Southwest Florida.

PATIENTS

All adult patients with the exception of those admitted for obstetric or mental health care.

INTERVENTIONS

An assortment of interventions were implemented, including electronic medical records, risk assessment tied to automatic consults, pressure relief measures including new equipment and personnel augmentation, and an interdisciplinary team to decide on protocols.

MAIN RESULTS

Hospital-acquired prevalence rate for all pressure ulcers was reduced by 81%. The rate for heel ulcers alone was reduced by 90%.

CONCLUSION

A pressure ulcer prevention program has been developed, which has shown a trend toward improved patient outcomes with a resultant cost savings.