Abstract

Hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPI) are a persistent challenge in clinical care environments, particularly in high-dependency settings such as tertiary care hospitals. These injuries contribute significantly to increased morbidity, extended length of hospital stay, and heightened healthcare expenditures. This comprehensive study evaluates a multi-pronged, interdisciplinary approach to pressure injury prevention within a 440-bedded tertiary care hospital, leveraging evidence-based tools and frameworks, including the Braden Scale, the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) framework, and a pharmaceutical-grade skin protectant barrier film.

The study employed a DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) methodology to audit, revise, and implement preventive measures across ICUs. Interventions included improved patient risk stratification, the development of individualized repositioning schedules, aggressive nutritional screening and intervention, and moisture management protocols. Quantitative data from direct observation, clinical audits, and patient charts were triangulated with qualitative insights from staff interviews and patient feedback. Outcomes were tracked over 6 months. The results demonstrated a marked reduction in pressure injury incidence, enhanced skin integrity, and improved staff compliance.

The findings highlight the critical importance of integrated nursing leadership, medical admin insights, clinical education, and cross-functional collaboration in fostering sustainable improvement. This study aims to serve as a model in our institute for a structured, data-driven approach to pressure injury prevention.a