Introduction
Hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs) remain a significant challenge in healthcare, especially among geriatric individuals. According to Wassel et al. (2020), the financial burden associated with HAPIs is substantial, with more extended hospital stays and increased mortality rates. The PICOT question states, “In a medical-surgical unit, will offering semi-annual, in-person HAPI prevention education to the staff, compared to annual training with online modules, reduce the number of HAPIs by 25% over six weeks?” Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to develop a comprehensive education plan that enhances the knowledge and control efforts among healthcare professionals while providing the outcomes, approach, and budget of this project.
Outcomes
The overriding questions revolve around how healthcare providers can increase their knowledge of HAPIs prevention policies and explore the effectiveness of tailored preventive measures. These questions are interconnected to achieve a substantial 25% decrease in HAPI incidents over six weeks. By emphasizing individual-based control approaches, the projects aim to address the diverse needs of geriatric patients, aligning with the findings of Team et al. (2021). Moreover, the integration of supportive policies aims to bridge the gap between planned and implemented strategies.
- S: Implement a comprehensive approach to improve knowledge.
- M: Reduce HAPIs by 25%.
- A: Develop a comprehensive staff education plan and policies.
- R: Address the challenges faced by healthcare providers.
- T: Achieve a 25% reduction within six weeks.
This project focuses on the following outcomes to reduce the amount of hospital-acquired pressure ulcers in medical-surgical units:
- Increasing staff’s knowledge on prevention and care of pressure ulcers through in-service and live training.
- Building a collaborative nursing team to effectively coordinate care for patients with limited mobility and/or who are at higher risk for HAPUs.
- Educating patients and caregivers on a practical approach to prevent, manage, and treat pressure ulcers.
- Fostering a culture of continuous improvement within healthcare practices by embracing a research-driven approach.
- Establish a system for continuous quality improvement through regular audits and feedback mechanisms.
Approach/Implementation
These outcomes must be implemented to achieve the goals discussed above. From the outset, an integrated approach would be implemented to enhance knowledge and skills in interventions such as prophylactic dressings, as outlined by Wassel et al. (2020). More specifically, the care providers will undertake semiannual in-person training sessions that incorporate evidence-based practices and personalized prevention measures.
Moreover, a team of experts will work collaboratively to adopt measures to reduce HAPIs by 25 percent. According to Holbrook et al. (2021), the plan will focus on maintaining proper sitting positions and using devices and products correctly to prevent pressure injuries. Through interactive workshops facilitated through educational booklets, nurses will learn about safe resting principles and chair adjustments aimed at reducing unnecessary sliding, friction, and falls. With a detailed schedule of the workshops and the assessment methods, healthcare professionals will receive comprehensive and well-defined training, enhancing their ability to prevent HAPIs effectively.
The team will also focus on developing an education plan and policies within the hospital setting, provided they align with the mission, vision, and overall goals put forth by management. The policies, as explicated by Barakat-Johnson et al. (2019), should clarify organizational expectations and provide healthcare professionals with the necessary knowledge and skills to perform their roles effectively. Regular feedback sessions will be held to allow nurses to express any issues they encounter during the implementation process.
The research will further adopt a study-driven approach to address challenges encountered by care providers. A team of professionals will be assigned to conduct ongoing research, focusing on refining existing prevention strategies and developing new approaches. Most importantly, regular training and skill development workshops will be organized for the healthcare workforce, aligning with the action components of research and development needs.
Finally, continuous monitoring and evaluation will be conducted throughout the implementation process. Regular assessments of healthcare professionals’ knowledge and skills help gauge the effectiveness of the training program in relation to the staff members (Gaspar et al., 2019). Additionally, HAPI incidence rates will be closely monitored, allowing for real-time adjustments in the education plan if the 25% reduction target is not met within the specified timeframe.
Budget
The budget outlines the costs for various training and education initiatives. Pre-test expenses, including staff rates for RN, LVN, and UAP, total $882 to $900. In-service education costs, which include conference room usage, facility laptop, and staff time, amount to $ 1,480-$ 1,500. The facility budget will cover the costs of physical therapy training. Post-test expenses for staff evaluation will be covered by the facility budget and recorded as staff education hours.
Table 1 – Estimated Costs and Finacial Sources
Conclusion
HAPIs are a major issue of concern with a significant financial burden. The first point revolves around the need to enhance healthcare professionals’ knowledge and skills through tailored, in-person training sessions. Secondly, Wassel et al. (2020) recommended that healthcare organizations incorporate personalized preventive measures and evidence-based practices. Lastly, by implementing supportive policies, care facilities will bridge the gap between planned strategies and their execution. Overall, investing in measures that help prevent HAPIs can result in significant cost savings.
References
Barakat-Johnson, M., Lai, M., Wand, T., & White, K. (2019). A qualitative study of the thoughts and experiences of hospital nurses providing pressure injury prevention and management. Collegian, 26(1), 95-102.
Gaspar, S., Peralta, M., Marques, A., Budri, A., & Gaspar de Matos, M. (2019). Effectiveness on hospital‐acquired pressure ulcers prevention: a systematic review. International Wound Journal, 16(5), 1087-1102.
Holbrook, S., O’Brien-Malone, C., Barton, A., & Harper, K. (2021). A quality improvement initiative to reduce hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPI) in an acute inpatient setting by improving patient education and seating. Wound Practice & Research: Journal of the Australian Wound Management Association, 29(4), 198-205.
Team, V., Jones, A., Teede, H., & Weller, C. D. (2021). Pressure injury surveillance and prevention in Australia: Monash partners capacity building framework. Frontiers in Public Health, 9, 634-669.
Wassel, C. L., Delhougne, G., Gayle, J. A., Dreyfus, J., & Larson, B. (2020). Risk of readmissions, mortality, and hospital‐acquired conditions across hospital‐acquired pressure injury (HAPI) stages in a US National Hospital Discharge database. International Wound Journal, 17(6), 1924-1934.