Continuous quality improvement initiative for pressure ulcer prevention.

BACKGROUND

Hospital-acquired pressure ulcers can extend a patient's length of stay, decrease health-related quality of life, and increase the risk of mortality and cost of patient care.

PROBLEM

Although risk assessment and pressure ulcer prevention efforts had been in place for many years, our facility continued to be more than national averages and we identified a need for extensive education and consistency throughout the organization in order to reduce hospital-acquired pressure ulcer occurrences.

CONCLUSION

The continuous quality improvement initiative implemented by Huntsville Hospital created a clinical culture of pressure ulcer prevention, resulting in improved patient outcomes and cost savings.