Keywords

hospital, hospital-acquired pressure injury, interprofessional, nurse executive, nurse manager, pressure injury, program, skin care, wound care

 

Authors

  1. Capitulo, Kathleen Leask PhD, RN, FAAN, FNYAM, IIWCC, FACCE, C-CNS

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The author describes implementing a comprehensive skin and wound care program during her tenure as chief nurse executive to address challenges related to a lack of expert resources and knowledge of pressure injury (PI) prevention and treatment. This multifaceted program included the creation of a comprehensive, interprofessional, evidence-based skin and wound care committee; establishing a "Wound Board" for case presentations and expert consultation; providing educational programs; streamlining the processes for product evaluation, procurement, and use; decreasing costs; and hiring additional wound, ostomy, and continence nurse specialists. As a result, hospital-acquired PI incidence dropped significantly.