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Inpatient Pressure Ulcer Prevalence in an Acute Care Hospital Using Evidence‐Based Practice
Author(s) -
Beal M. Elizabeth,
Smith Kimberly
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
worldviews on evidence‐based nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.052
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 1741-6787
pISSN - 1545-102X
DOI - 10.1111/wvn.12145
Subject(s) - medicine , medicaid , minimum data set , documentation , acute care , health care , family medicine , evidence based practice , medline , agency (philosophy) , quality management , nursing , emergency medicine , medical emergency , alternative medicine , nursing homes , management system , management , pathology , computer science , political science , law , economics , programming language , economic growth , philosophy , epistemology
Background A national goal was set in 2004 for decreasing hospital‐acquired pressure ulcers (HAPUs). A mean to achieve that goal was initiated in 2005 with long‐term care facilities. Acute care facilities, with encouragement from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, took action. Aims Pressure ulcer prevention efforts at MaineGeneral Medical Center (MGMC), a 192‐bed acute care hospital in Augusta, Maine, sought to reduce HAPU prevalence from a mean of 7.8% in 2005. Methods A retrospective study over a 10‐year period, from 2005 through 2014, tracked HAPUs and evidence‐based practice (EBP) initiatives to decrease the annual mean prevalence rate. Results The annual mean HAPU prevalence rate of 7.8% in 2005 decreased to 1.4% in 2011, then maintaining this level through 2014 at MGMC. Evidence‐based practices for pressure ulcer prevention were implemented using data collection tools from the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators; guidelines from the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel; and procedural guidance tools from the 5 Million Lives Campaign and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Conclusions Accurate data collection methods and evidence‐based guidelines are vital to improving care; yet planning with annual review, fostering an EBP culture, by‐in of stakeholders, and education, are the means to long‐term consistent implementation of pressure ulcer prevention measures. Linking Evidence to Action Keys to decreasing and maintaining the rate were based on effective scientific evidence for prevention of pressure ulcers: assessment tools, education, planning guidance, documentation, and evidence‐based practice guidelines.