Strategy to reduce avoidable pressure ulcers.

Pressure ulcers have a detrimental effect on patient health and wellbeing and place a significant economic burden on the NHS. NHS Midlands and East, a cluster strategic health authority, has embarked on a programme of "ambitions" to ensure high-quality care and patient safety. The SHA identified the elimination of all grade 2, 3 and 4 pressure ulcers by December 2012 as its first ambition. This article discusses the methods chosen for measuring and monitoring the incidence and prevalence of pressure ulcers, and the nurse's role.