The implementation of a pressure ulcer prevention program at St. Joseph's at Fleming

In the summer of 2007, two fourth year nursing students were hired to implement a pressure ulcer prevention program at St. Joseph's at Fleming, a long term care facility in Peterborough. Under the guidance of the facility's Assistant Director of Resident Care, the nursing students selected the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario' (RNAO) best practice guideline for the Risk Assessment and Prevention of Pressure Ulcers to form the foundation upon which their program was built. This article describes the phases of the implementation process and highlights the importance of following the steps outlined in the RNAO's best practice guideline Toolkit to ensure program success.