Implementation of Sacral Ulcer Prevention Protocol

Abstract

The purpose of this quality improvement project was to effect a change in nursing practice to prevent pressure ulcers in a hospital setting, by implementing an adjunctive nursing protocol aligned with current evidence-based guidelines. First outcome was a comparison of nurse knowledge. The second was documentation compliance with the new protocol. The third was to identify perceptions of barriers and facilitators of nurses adopting new protocol. The PI used pre-testing, educational in-services, post-testing, and post-protocol survey to collect data. There was a statistically-significant difference between the pre- and post-tests scores as t = 3.02 (df 14) (p = .009). The protocol was followed correctly for 26 out of 49 patients (53.1%). Perceived barriers were identified. Future implications include to determine the best way to change nursing practices due to perceived barriers, providing real-time feedback during the implementation of new practice, providing a longer period of time for planning, implementation, and evaluation of the protocol, and involving nursing staff in changes in the facility.