Utilizing Technology to Enhance a Comprehensive Pressure Injury Prevention Program to Improve Quality, Efficiency, and Patient Safety Across a Hospital System

Introduction: The Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services rewards hospitals for the quality of care provided rather than the quantity of ser- vices provided1, motivating hospitals to monitor and invest in pressure injury prevention (PIP) strategies. Turning and repositioning are fun- damental to PIP, and prior studies reveal turn protocols are adhered to between 42%2 - 66%3 of the time. The aim of this analysis was to evaluate the influence of technology on improving adherence to PIP protocols. Methods: A 3-hospital system with an established PIP protocol, which included a skin care regimen and preventive foam dressings, analyzed hospital-acquired pressure injury (HAPI) incidence data. The data was used to evaluate the pre- and post- incidence outcomes for all areas which implemented a repositioning reminder system (RRS) and excluded Stage 1 and mucosal membrane pressure injuries. Results: Hospital 1 implemented the RRS in the intensive care unit (ICU) in January 2022. Comparing the baseline data from calendar year (CY) 2021 to CY 2022 revealed a 44.69% reduction in HAPI incidence in units where the RRS was implemented and an average adherence to turn protocols of 83% for all patients monitored by the RRS. Subtracting the financial investment in the RRS from the estimated pre- and post- HAPI treatment costs4 revealed a greater than 2 million USD return on invest- ment in CY 2022. Discussion: The reduction in HAPI incidence combined with the posi- tive return on investment supported a systemwide expansion of the RRS and standardization of PIP protocols. Hospital 2 and 3 implemented the RRS in ICUs in September 2022, and Hospitals 1 and 2 expanded the RRS to the progressive care units in September 2023.