Pressure Ulcers
Cape Cod Hospital conducts pressure ulcer prevalence studies monthly, and the results are reviewed by Nurse Managers, Clinical Leaders, and Nursing leadership. Our efforts to prevent pressure ulcers focus on accurate skin assessment on admission, identification of patients at risk for pressure ulcers, and implementation of appropriate prevention strategies. The Braden Scale is performed on admission and daily to identify patients at risk, with specific interventions based on sub-scores as well as the overall score. A nurse specialist (WOCN) is available 7 days a week for consultation. To enhance this program, we are also developing an internal group of staff nurses with special expertise, available 24 hours a day to advise and assist with skin issues as they arise. New products for the prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers have been researched and acquired as appropriate, with standardization of skin care carts on every unit. Nursing, Quality, and Education have also worked closely with the IT department, and documentation options for skin assessments were modified to increase the accuracy of reporting and staging pressure ulcers. These initiatives are on-going, and regularly updated or revised, based on data from our monthly prevalence studies and feedback from Nursing, as part of the hospital’s commitment to continuous quality and safety in patient care.
Falls
Cape Cod Hospital’s goal is to eliminate all falls. All patients are assessed for their risk to fall at the time of admission and regularly throughout their stay. If patients are assessed to be at high risk, specific fall reduction plans are put into place involving patient identification and location, staff communication, alarms, and patient and family education. The Patient Safety Committee is actively involved in reviewing falls data, identifying trends and developing strategies (care delivery, equipment, education/feedback) to prevent falls. The Hospital continues to work diligently to create and maintain a safe environment for all our patients.
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| 27 May 2015 |
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