Eliminating Hospital Acquired Pressure Injuries: Prevention Bundles and Two Nurse Skin
Abstract
Problem: A Vascular Surgery Progressive Care Unit (VSPCU) in a large, academic medical center had a year-to-date hospital-acquired pressure injury (HAPI) incidence rate of 1.89 per 1000 patient days in 2019; fifty percent of these HAPI were avoidable. Purpose: The purpose of this quality improvement (QI) initiative was to eliminate HAPI incidence on a Vascular Surgery Progressive Care Unit through implementation of an evidence-based pressure injury prevention bundle (PIPB), including a two-RN skin assessment and co-sign component within 24-hours of patient admission or transfer. Methods: The Vascular Surgery Progressive Care unit consists of 12 beds and averages 53 admitted patients per month. A 16-week implementation period took place from August 31, 2020 to December 22, 2020. Head-to-toe, 2-RN skin assessment with electronic health record cosign and bundle documentation was implemented on the project unit for nurses to identify risks for HAPI, provide all admitted patients evidence-based prevention strategies, and to link staff with institutional skin prevention resources. The QI project was guided by Lippitt’s Change Theory. Staff-received project education was measured by a completion goal date. Nursing staff completed return-demonstration of 2-RN cosign and bundle note documentation within the electronic health record. Documentation of RN bundle compliance was measured by weekly chart audits. Unit HAPI incidence rates were measured by quarterly audits compiled and dispersed by the institutional Skin Integrity Committee. Data used for dissemination and discussion was comprised using run-chart analysis. Results: At Go-live 57% of RNs were PIPB trained (n = 30). A zero avoidable HAPI incidence was maintained during implementation (n = 194 patients). At week nine, 100% bundle compliance was achieved for five consecutive weeks. Conclusions: Implementation of a prevention bundle using a two-nurse skin assessment with cosign, for achieving zero unit-based HAPI is feasible and should be a care standard. Bundle compliance was associated with completed staff training, charge nurses as project champions, compliance email reminders, compliance data-sharing with staff, leadership availability and visibility, and continual team positive reinforcement.Keyword
hospital-acquired pressure injury (HAPI)pressure injury prevention bundle (PIPB)
skin assessment
vascular surgery progressive care unit (VSPCU)
Patient Care Bundles
Pressure Ulcer--prevention & control
Quality Improvement