Decreasing Sacral Pressure Injuries in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit

Activity Summary

Required reading for all learners: Implicit Bias impacts patient outcomes

This session evolves from an AACN Clinical Scene Investigator (CSI) Academy project analyzing patients at high risk for sacral pressure injuries. It reflects a collaborative effort by the CSI team to develop a protocol-based prevention including strategic gel pad placement under the sacrum to reduce injury risk and reinforced scheduled sacral pressure offloading. One-year postimplementation, better patient, staff and fiscal outcomes confirm this as an effective, collaborative template for expansion to other units.

Objectives

Identify patients at risk for hospital-acquired sacral pressure injuries.
Formulate a plan of care among RN staff, APRN, wound specialist and providers to utilize sacral gel pads and prevent pressure injuries.
Articulate lasting patient, staff and fiscal outcomes tied to gel pad use and interdisciplinary collaboration one-year postimplementation.

Continuing Education Disclosure Statement

Criteria for Awarding Contact Hours

Learners must complete the entire activity and the associated evaluation AND read Implicit Bias impacts patient outcomes. No partial credit will be awarded.

Accreditation

American Association of Critical-Care Nurses is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.
Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider number CEP 1036, for {contactHours} contact hours.

Disclosures

The Nurse Planner has determined that no individuals with the ability to control content of this activity have relevant relationships with ineligible companies.

Activities with pharmacotherapeutic credit are to assist the APRN in fulfilling their education requirements for licensure and certification renewals.

Refund Policy

Continuing Education Activities are nonrefundable.