Improving pressure ulcer care through designer education

In 2001, a tissue viability audit was undertaken within a medical directorate of an acute district general hospital. The audit highlighted deficiencies in the knowledge base of the staff and in the care given to prevent and manage pressure ulceration. As a result, the tissue viability nurse, head of nursing (medical directorate) and lecturer in tissue viability identified educational and service needs and developed a specifically designed education programme that integrated diploma- and degree-level study. Pre- and post-course questionnaires were designed to assess students' theoretical knowledge; this was combined with an assessment that focused on the implementation of the pressure ulcer prevention and management guidelines. The success of the programme was demonstrated by an increase in nurses' knowledge of pressure ulcer prevention and management. This positive outcome could not have been achieved without the willingness of the trust manager, tissue viability nurse and nurse educator to work together and support the development of this new initiative.