Decubitus Ulcers

Here are some steps taken to reduce decubiti rates:

Document & assess ulcers and patients at risk upon admission
Use of Skin Team
Development of skin care/prevention protocols
- turn every 2 hours; appropriate barrier creams; use chair cushions; etc.
Pressure relief mattresses on all beds except OB and peds
Education Education Education (one-on-one, self-study&test, classes, CNS)
Quarterly skin/wound inservices
Use 6 Sigma methodology & PI to make protocol easier
Use music as an audio cue (i.e. "Turn, Turn, Turn" by the Byrds) to encourage staff to turn patients
Developed "SOS" (Save our Skin) teams and assign a "skin champion" from each unit
Signage for patients who have a positive Braden score to alert staff to take extra skin precautions
Use pre-moistened bath & perineal cloths to decrease friction issues