Date of Doctor of Nursing Practice Project Completion
2025
Faculty Advisor
Dr. Padmavathy Ramaswamy
Abstract
Purpose
This quality improvement (QI) project aimed to reduce hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs) by 10% in an intensive care unit through the implementation of a skin risk assessment form and a visual reminder system.
Background
Hospital-acquired pressure injuries negatively impact patient outcomes and can increase costs associated with a hospital stay. Studies have shown that visual reminders can improve nursing intervention compliance and correlate with improved patient outcomes.
Methodology
The project implemented a skin-risk assessment form to identify patients at risk for developing pressure injuries during their hospital stay. For high-risk patients, a “High Skin Risk” magnet was placed outside their room as a visual cue to prompt staff to perform pressure injury prevention techniques already established as standard-of-care in the Intensive Care Unit. Guided by the Plan-Do-Study-Act model, compliance audits were conducted to monitor performance and identify opportunities for improvement.
Results
The QI project achieved its goal resulting in a 52% reduction in HAPIs, from 3.45 per 1,000 patient days pre-intervention to 1.66 post-intervention, suggesting a successful implementation of the visual reminder system and improved compliance with HAPI prevention techniques.
Implications
This project demonstrates an effective and low-cost intervention to a major problem in the healthcare field. The QI project strategy could be implemented in other hospital units or nursing homes. Further research or improvement efforts should focus on intervention compliance and long-term sustainability of visual reminders.
Keywords
Hospital-acquired, pressure, injuries, prevention, reminder
Recommended Citation
Henry H. Remschel III, "Reducing Hospital-Acquired Pressure Injuries: A Quality Improvement Project Implementing a Visual Reminder System in the Intensive Care Unit" (2025). Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract. 128.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/dnp_abstract/128