Hospital-Acquired Pressure Injury Reduction: A Nurse-Led Quality Improvement Initiative in Qatar

Hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs) pose a considerable challenge for healthcare systems, not only for their impact on patient well-being but also for the significant financial burden imposed on healthcare facilities. Between 2020 and 2021, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) reported an average of 60±5 monthly HAPI incidents, with medical devices contributing to approximately 50% of these cases. This project aimed to reduce the incidence of pressure injuries across hospital units. A quality improvement (QI) project using the Comprehensive Unit-Based Safety Program (CUSP) model was implemented to reduce HAPI incidence by 50% by September 2022. The interventions included staff training, electronic documentation review, spot audits on SSKIN (surface, skin inspection, keep moving, incontinence, and nutrition) care bundle compliance policy updates, and enhanced utilization of pressure-relieving devices. The project resulted in a 64.4% reduction in HAPI incidence, with a 66% decrease specifically in medical device-related pressure injuries. The nurse-led, evidence-based interventions significantly reduced HAPI rates across HMC facilities, demonstrating the effectiveness of targeted quality improvement efforts and offering a model that other healthcare institutions can adapt.