Implementation of the Good Practices Guide: Risk Assessment and Prevention of Pressure Ulcers, an Experience at “Fundacion Oftalmológica of Santander” (FOSCAL)

Abstract

Introduction: For a long time, the importance of risk assessment as a strategy to prevent the development of pressure ulcers (PU) has been recognized, that is why there are clinical practice guidelines that are characterized by collecting the best available evidence for this type of recommendation, among them can be found the risk assessment and pressure ulcer prevention guidelines from the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO). Pressure ulcers are a problem during the hospital care process because they affect and deteriorate the state of health, quality of life and family functionality, without forgetting the economic and legal repercussions for medical institutions. Objective: To describe the experience in the implementation of the RNAO nursing best practice guidelines in two hospitalization services, and another one with an adult in the intensive care unit from 2013 to 2015. Methodology: A prospective descriptive study was carried out about the implementation of risk assessment and prevention of pressure ulcers guidelines by RNAO in two hospitalization services, and another one with an adult in the intensive care unit which was organized in two phases a) Preparation phase: agreement, selection and training; b) Implementation phase: audit and follow-up. Results: For the risk assessment and prevention of pressure ulcer guidelines, a population of 16,264 inpatients were assessed, from which 6,712 (41%) were classified, during their admission, as having a risk to develop PU; 5,196 (77%) had a supportive surface area, and a total of 250 (4%) patients developed stage 2 PU, showing a gradual decreasing rate in prevalence per year. The staff compliance adherence with the recommendations of the guidelines was 91%. Conclusions: There was an increasing rate in the percentage of risk assessment, follow-up, and reassessment during hospitalization. [Esparza-Bohórquez M, Granados-Oliveros LM, Joya-Guevara K. Implementation of the Good Practices Guide: Risk Assessment and Prevention of Pressure Ulcers, an Experience at “Fundacion Oftalmológica of Santander” (FOSCAL). MedUNAB 2016; 19(2):115-123].