Description

Using the Office of Inspector General (OIG) data on pressure ulcer (PrU) incidence, avoidability, and level of harm, the authors did a secondary analysis of PrU data on adverse events in acute care hospitals and Medicare-certified skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). Their analysis points to the lack of identification of Stage III and Stage IV PrUs in these studies. In addition, the level of harm generated from PrUs in hospitals and SNFs was underestimated. While the OIG studies offer a structured algorithm for avoidability determination, they lack measures of reliability and validity. The authors discuss the need to develop methods to verify the reliability of PrUs as a quality indicator, how to avoid them and how to quantify their cost to the healthcare system.

Method of Participation in the Learning Process/Evaluation Method

Successful completion of this activity includes reading the entire article and successfully completing the post-quiz and an evaluation form.

Getting the Most out of the Activity

As you prepare to participate in this activity, please reflect on your practice and your patients and identify clinical challenges you hope to have addressed.

While participating in the training, identify ways you can use newly acquired knowledge, strategies, and skills to enhance patient outcomes and your own professional development.