Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 11, 2026
Automated Midline Shift and Intracranial Pressure Estimation based on Brain CT Images
Published on: April 13, 2013
The VCU Pressure Ulcer Summit: Collaboration to Operationalize Hospital-Acquired Pressure Ulcer Prevention Best
C Tod Brindle1, Sue Creehan, Joyce Black
1C. Tod Brindle, MSN, RN, CWOCN, VCU Medical Center Wound Care Team, Richmond, Virginia. Sue Creehan, MSN, RN, CWON, VCU Medical Center Wound Care Team, Richmond, Virginia. Joyce Black, PhD, RN, CPSN, CWCN, University of Nebraska School of Nursing, Omaha. Deb Zimmermann, DNP, MS, RN, NEA-BC, Chief Nursing Office, VCU Medical Center & ANCC Magnet Commission Chair, Richmond, Virginia.
This collaboration developed a framework to improve hospital-acquired pressure ulcer prevention and create a severity score. The goal is to sustain organizational culture change for better patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare Quality Improvement
- Nursing Research
- Clinical Informatics
Background:
- Hospital-acquired pressure ulcers (HAPUs) represent a significant patient safety concern.
- Existing best practices for HAPU prevention require effective operationalization and sustained culture change within healthcare facilities.
- A standardized method for assessing HAPU severity is needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a comprehensive framework for implementing and sustaining best practices in HAPU prevention.
- To create a validated scoring system for classifying the severity of hospital-acquired pressure ulcers.
- To address the complexities surrounding unavoidable pressure ulcers.
Main Methods:
- An interprofessional collaboration involving experts in pressure ulcer prevention, bedside clinicians, regulatory bodies, quality improvement specialists, informatics professionals, and nursing organizations.
- Framework development focused on operationalizing evidence-based recommendations for HAPU prevention.
- Methodology for a HAPU severity score and discussion of unavoidable pressure ulcer criteria were established.
Main Results:
- A framework designed to guide healthcare facilities in adopting and maintaining a culture of pressure ulcer prevention was created.
- A novel hospital-acquired pressure ulcer severity score was developed.
- Key considerations for managing unavoidable pressure ulcers were outlined.
Conclusions:
- The developed framework provides a roadmap for healthcare organizations to enhance HAPU prevention strategies.
- The HAPU severity score offers a standardized approach to patient assessment and care planning.
- Addressing unavoidable pressure ulcers requires a nuanced understanding and consistent application of guidelines.