The PIT stop: Using a team approach to turn down pressure injuries

Pressure injuries significantly impact patient outcomes, length of stay, and health care costs. A 104-bed Pathway to Excellence®-designated hospital began to see a rise in its hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs).

To decrease HAPIs utilizing the Pathway to Excellence framework.

A multidisciplinary pressure injury team (PIT) was formed to enhance prevention and treatment strategies. Interventions included weekly Wound Care Wednesdays to emphasize consistent photo documentation, enhanced admission assessments involving dual-nurse skin checks, and the development of a smart note within the electronic health record to streamline documentation. Unit-specific action plans and performance scorecards were implemented to foster accountability and transparency.

The PIT's efforts led to better documentation of present-on-admission wounds and a 37.7% reduction in the HAPI rate from 2022 to 2024.

The PIT provides an adaptable framework, driven by the Pathway to Excellence standards, that can be used by other health care organizations seeking to reduce pressure injuries and promote sustained quality improvement.