Authors

  1. Pentecost, Stephanie BSN, RN
  2. Morehead, Carmen BSN, RN

Article Content

In 2021, USA Health University Hospital in Alabama identified 6 health care-associated pressure injuries (HAPIs) in surgical patients related to the patient's duration in the operating room (OR) suite. Of the 6 HAPIs, 4 were identified on the sacrum or coccyx. This identified the OR as an area of opportunity to implement a process that would contribute to the collaborative effort of reducing HAPIs in our patients. The OR and Inpatient Leadership Collaboration objective is to reduce OR-related HAPIs to 0 by June 2022. Key stakeholders collaborated to develop an evidence-based intervention to reduce HAPIs in surgical patients. A standardized pressure injury prevention protocol was implemented in preoperative and inpatient areas for surgical patients. Every patient scheduled for an inpatient OR procedure was required to have a foam dressing placed on their sacrum prior to the procedure and documented in the preoperative checklist. It is then verified by all nurses assuming care for the patient. Qualitative reports from preoperative area and OR staff demonstrated the early and consistent adoption of this intervention by inpatient nursing staff. For the months of January and February 2022, there were 0 HAPIs related to time spent in the OR. Interdepartmental leadership collaboration can lead to improvement in patient outcomes when identical goals and clearly defined roles are instituted.