Bayada Technology Award: Practice Innovation Award Recipient

Pressure Ulcer Reduction Project
Joan A. McInerney, RN, MSN, BC, CWOCN

Joan McInerney, a Wound, Ostomy and Continence (WOC) nurse at NCH Healthcare Systems in Naples,Florida, received this award for innovative use of an already established technology. She used the existing hospital-wide electronic medical record system to integrate a new application to assist in the reduction of an identified clinical issue - pressure ulcers.

Ms McInerney and her team developed a series of computer screens used by nurses in their electronic charting. As a part of their daily patient assessment, nurses answer a series of questions about skin condition designed to generate automatic alerts to the Wound, Ostomy and Continence nurses. Utilizing a number of "red flags", such as a Braden Scale for Risk of Pressure Ulcers score less than13, an order for a ventilator, and a BMI greater than 50, WOC nurses receive computer-generated messages to provide a consult and institute appropriate interventions.

Ms McInerney's system uses technology to eliminate any steps that could be left to chance - she has recognized the true value of automation versus standard memory-based practice. Ms. McInerney has used the system to lead every process involving pressure ulcers, from prevention to treatment to collection of outcomes data.

Over the past three years, Ms. McInerney's health care facility has experienced a 74% reduction in overall hospital-acquired pressure ulcer prevalence and and 85% reduction in heel ulcer prevalence, a remarkable achievement, and a wonderful example of how the collaboration of nursing and technology can improve patient outcomes.