Over the past three years, a programme in Australia has significantly decreased pressure ulcer occurrence by training clinicians in pressure ulcer risk assessment, prevention and treatment.

Training clinicians, as well as evaluating prevention policy and increasing quality of care, while reducing costs in pressure ulcer management have all been critical tools for the success of the programme.

The nurse practitioner-led Pressure Ulcer Prevention Program (PUPP) uses evidence-based, cost-efficient and sustainable strategies to prevent pressure ulcer occurrence. In the past three years pressure ulcers were reduced by 16.4% and there was a rise in assessments of 7.9%. Suitable pressure ulcer-alleviating devices were used 46.5% of the time, which saved $500,000 (AUD).

To read more on this study, click here.

Image: Hospital. Credit: Lee J Haywood on Flickr.