Use of an intervention bundle to eliminate pressure ulcers in critical care

Abstract

Nursing staff chose to eliminate hospital-acquired pressure ulcers in their intensive care unit through implementation of an intervention bundle. A bundle of 7 interventions (pressure ulcer bundle, PUB) was developed through review of current evidence. After implementation, quarterly hospital-acquired pressure ulcer rates decreased and continued to remain below 1% throughout the year, and the goal of no pressure ulcers was met for 2 months. The PUB interventions have potential for use in a variety of settings where there are bed-bound patients.