Date of Award
Summer 7-31-2024
Document Type
Scholarly Project
Degree Name
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
First Advisor
Theresa (Tess) Pape
Second Advisor
Derek James
Abstract
Practice Problem: Hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPI) are a significant concern in healthcare with the most vulnerable group being the adult patients in ICUs leading to increased morbidity, longer hospital stays, and higher healthcare costs.
PICOT: In adult ICU patients (P) does the implementation of daily chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) baths with post bath barrier cream combined with intentional turning every 2-hours (I) compared to standard skin care practices and nonintentional turning (C) reduce the incidence of hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPI) (O) within 10-weeks (T)?
Evidence: The project was based on the analysis of the literature published in the last five years and concerned with the assessment of chlorhexidine gluconate baths, barrier creams, and repositioning. These interventions were noted to have the potential of reducing the occurrence of HAPIs in ICU environments as pointed out in the evidence presented.
Intervention: The intervention included the use of chlorhexidine gluconate baths and then applying barrier cream and intentional turning of the patient every two hours.
Outcome: The results of the Fisher exact test were not significant based on an alpha value of .05, p = .118, suggesting that Post bath barrier cream application and Acquired HAPI were not related. The results were clinically significant with the reduction in pressure injury incidences.
Conclusion: This project implemented an evidence-based practice to reduce the incidence of HAPIs in the ICU environment as a recurring problem. By implementing measures such as chlorhexidine gluconate bath, application of barrier creams and repositioning of patients, the initiative was able to reduce the risk and incidence of pressure injuries hence enhancing the quality and safety of patient care in critical care settings.
Recommended Citation
Brigman, T. C. (2024). Implementation of an Evidence-based Hospital Acquired Pressure Injury Strategy in the Intensive Care Unit. [Doctoral project, University of St Augustine for Health Sciences]. SOAR @ USA: Student Scholarly Projects Collection. https://doi.org/10.46409/sr.MMGS1434
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Comments
Scholarly project submitted to the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Nursing Practice.