Authors

1. Polancich, Shea PhD, RN
2. Coiner, Sarah MSN, RN-BC, CNL
3. Barber, Rebekah MSN, RN, CNL
4. Poe, Terri DNP, RN, NE-BC
5. Roussel, Linda PhD, RN, CNL
6. Williams, Kelley MSN, RN
7. Cumbest, Heather MSN, RN
8. Noles, Kristen MSN, RN, CNL
9. Herrero, Ashlea MSHQS, LSSGB
10. Graham, Shannon DNP, RN, NE-BC
11. Miltner, Rebecca PhD, RN, CNL, NEA-BC

Abstract

The clinical nurse leader (CNL) role has been cited as an effective strategy for improving care at the microsystem level. The purpose of this article is to describe the use of the CNL role in an academic medical center for evaluating pressure ulcer reporting. The Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle was used as the methodological framework for the study. The CNL assessment of pressure ulcers resulted in a 21% to 50% decrease in the number of hospital-acquired pressure ulcers reported in a 3-month time period. The CNL role has potential for improving the validity and reliability of pressure ulcer reporting.