A strategy to reduce avoidable pressure ulcers

Mclntyre, Lyn

Lyn McIntyre is associate nurse director - ambition leadership; Ruth May is director of nursing; both at NHS Midlands and East; Di Marks-Maran is honorary professor of nursing education, Kingston University/St George's, University of London.

This article has been double-blind peer reviewed

Nursing Times 108(29):p 14-17, July 17, 2012.

Nurses have a role to play in monitoring the success of strategies to reduce avoidable pressure ulcers and to provide accountability and maintain motivation

In this article…

➤ The economic cost of pressure ulcers
➤ How one region is working to eliminate pressure ulcers
➤ Nurses' role in pressure ulcer prevention

Abstract

McIntyre L et al (2012) A strategy to reduce avoidable pressure ulcers. Nursing Times; 108: 29, 14–17. Pressure ulcers have a detrimental effect on patient health and wellbeing and place a significant economic burden on the NHS.

NHS Midlands and East, a cluster strategic health authority, has embarked on a programme of “ambitions” to ensure high-quality care and patient safety. The SHA identified the elimination of all grade 2, 3 and 4 pressure ulcers by December 2012 as its first ambition.

This article discusses the methods chosen for measuring and monitoring the incidence and prevalence of pressure ulcers, and the nurse's role.