Methods and Processes Used to Collect Pressure Injury Risk and Prevention Measures in the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators® (NDNQI®).

BACKGROUND

Previous research found that reliability estimates for chart-extracted quality of care data vary.

PURPOSE

The purpose was to examine methods and processes used to gather data on the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators (NDNQI) pressure injury (PI) risk and prevention measures to identify factors that may influence their reliability.

METHODS

Study participants (N = 120) from 36 hospitals completed a 35-item online survey. Included were the NDNQI PI Survey Team member with the most experience and/or skill in patient record review from each hospital (n = 36) and 84 other NDNQI PI Survey Team members.

RESULTS

In general, participants followed NDNQI PI data collection guidelines. However, deviations were noted such as 60 (50%) participants collected PI data on units where they work, and 92 (76.7%) determined whether moisture management was performed by direct observation of patients rather than chart documentation.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings provide insight on how to improve the reliability of hospital-acquired PI risk and prevention measures that includes clarification of the data collection guidelines.