Utilizing a systems approach to implement pressure ulcer prediction and prevention

Efficient, effective patient care is an objective shared by all healthcare settings and systems. It is generally accepted that using national clinical guidelines facilitates pursuit of this objective. However, implementation of a guideline, or any process improvement activity, requires a systematic, collaborative approach from which new processes can be purposefully designed. This article reviews systems theory, presents the steps for process improvement using the Plan/Do/Check/Act cycle, and references a recent statewide quality improvement study conducted by the authors in collaboration with Stratis Health, a Minnesota Medical Peer Review Organization.