Implementation of the best practice guideline for pressure ulcer prevention: Development, results and sustainability

To assess the impact of implementing the "Risk Assessment and Prevention of Pressure Injuries (PI)" guideline on adherence to its recommendations, the prevalence of PI and the sustainability of results, and to analyse the implementation strategies, sustainability and barriers detected.

A retrospective observational study (June 2015 to December 2018). Two periods were studied (P1: Preparation and P2: Sustainability). The programme reports and data from the medical records of patients discharged from the 4participating hospitals were analysed with regard to adherence to preventive recommendations and health outcomes in terms of the presence of pressure injuries per centre.

A total of 13,515 patients were included, of whom 4,523 were at risk for PI and 722 had PI. Of the patients, 82.9% underwent a risk assessment for PI on admission. A decrease in this assessment on admission was observed between P1:89.1% vs. P2: 81% P<.001. Of the patients at risk, 42.1% were reassessed during their admission and a significant increase was observed between the periods P1: 30.7% vs. P2:46%; P<.001. 63.2% had a special pressure management surface, with a significant increase between P1:55.3% vs. P2: 65%; P<.001. The overall prevalence of PI was 5.5% and a significant decrease was observed on comparing P1: 6.6% vs. P2:5.1%; P=.003. The prevalence of nosocomial PI remained constant at 2.1%, P1:2% and P2:2.1%; P=.708. Institutional commitment, the appointment of leaders, drawing up of action plans, and training are outstanding strategies in all the centres.

This study shows that there is adequate adherence to the main recommendations of the guideline. A statistically significant improvement was observed in adherence to 2 out of the 3 recommendations assessed. The implantation and sustainability strategies implemented have been contributed to maintenance and/or improving results over time.