Abstract Prevention of Hospital-Acquired Pressure Injuries in Older Adults in Acute Care Settings

INTRODUCTION: Hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs) are a significant risk for older people in acute care, leading to increased morbidity, Healthcare costs and fragility in senior patients result in higher HAPI rates. This quality improvement (QI) project aimed to reduce HAPI incidence by 40% within four months, utilizing evidence-based nursing interventions tailored to this vulnerable population. METHODOLOGY: The project followed the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) methodology, implementing staff training, periodical skin assessments, and repositioning schedules. Data were collected monthly using skin evaluation checklists and HAPI incidence reports from 30 patient days, and chi-square tests and control charts were used to examine the results. Staff turnover and anomalies in the early paperwork were among the limitations. Interventions included standardized practices, pressure-relieving cushions, and interdisciplinary teamwork, with problems such as increasing staff workload addressed by further training and automated reminders. RESULTS: The project achieved an 88% reduction in HAPI incidence, exceeding the 40% target. High levels of staff involvement and interdisciplinary interaction were essential. Integrating protocols into standard treatment and providing continual staff education helped to ensure sustainability. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Evidence-based therapies can effectively reduce HAPIs, improve patient safety, and reduce costs. Unexpected outcomes included increased patient-provider trust. To ensure long-term impact, future efforts should focus on expanding protocols to other units and resolving staff attrition.