pressure ulcer prevention

Freshman RN · Mar 10, 2003

I work long term care and we just do it. I mean everyone is on the same schedule, it makes it alot easier. Personally I don't think that you should make it fun or creative, it's someones health. However if you were going to something, why not do some of their job for them like passing ice, vitals ( which I hate) making beds etc...

RNonsense · Mar 10, 2003

Originally posted by zuchRN
creative and fun ways

:rotfl: :rotfl:

Sorry...I don't know anyone who thinks it's fun. Pictures of pressure sores and inservices on proper technique should be motivation enough...

baseline · Mar 10, 2003

zuch, Your heart is in the right place. If you can figure out a way to get everyone to do this PLEASE let us know! I am still fighting the battle with highly skilled critical care nurses that Continuous lateral rotation DOES NOT replace good nursing care and repositioning. Good luck!!!

zuchRN · Mar 10, 2003

I know that it is not exactly fun. I know that it is serious and part of the job. The in-services have been done and the pictures have been shown. I am the DON of a 104 bed facility and we have 1 pressure ulcer. The aids and nurses do a good job for the most part, but what I want to do is to reach the people who are a little lax on turning...I do rounds continuously and answer call lights, do assessments and help with turning. What I want to do though is make it just second nature. Mkae people excited. Give incentive. I do nto want to have to get into disciplinary action as a way to motivate. If I have to I will, but I would like to attempt other avenues.

baseline · Mar 10, 2003

Hmmmm. Well, Do you have different units? Nothing like a little healthy competition to motivate! you could have a bagel tray or something every month for the winners? Just a thought.

LPNtoBSNstudent, BSN, RN · Mar 10, 2003

When I was a CNA 15 years ago there were people on staff that were supposed to go around and check and notice things like this (besides the charge nurses!)...these same people were given (a couple per month) coupons to hand out. Each coupon said, something like 'thank you for taking pride in your job and for giving great care to our residents who so very much deserve it. Your hard work does not go unnoticed" and you could turn that in for a $5 bill at the business office. I know of other places that give out coupons for free soda in the cafeteria and stuff like that.

Maybe that is an idea? But be sure that every shift has a couple people who give them out (it should be different people every month so it is a surprise to the employee). I thought that was sorta fun.

zuchRN · Mar 10, 2003

We have a similar program already in place. It is called "you're one in a million." I have thoroughly explained it in another thread entitled "retention/awards" (or something similar to that).

I just want everyone to be on board with the significance that repositioning plays. There are 3 units (one is an ambulatory alzheimers unit, absolutely no pressure issues) and then 2 others. I will look into the competition. I think that might be good for a while. I might have to do it weekly and will have to reward all shifts and weekend staff differently for correct positioning. I appreciate the ideas!!

TCmeds · Mar 10, 2003

Hi.....I'm charge nurse on my unit.....a SNU...and I use the inservice I learned in nursing school.....5 hours of neglect leads to 5 months ...minimum to heal......My aides are very dilegent....and most months we have no skin issues.....Education is the key!

RNonsense · Mar 10, 2003

Originally posted by baseline
zuch, Your heart is in the right place. If you can figure out a way to get everyone to do this PLEASE let us know!

Zuch, your heart IS in the right place. It sounds like your facility is doing a great job! IMHO though, I have a problem with rewarding and or bribing just to do basic duties. These are supposed to be professionals on your staff...

Tweety, BSN, RN · Mar 10, 2003

Gee, I was thinking the same thing when I was on rounds tonight. I was thinking "gee, all these patients are on their backs, I hope people are doing what they are supposed to do".

txtopaandback · Mar 10, 2003

I worked at a facility that would hide " coupons" -- under res' pillows, under cushions on w/c's for candy bars, bags of chips,1$, 5$& gift certificates, and once in a while a day off with pay redeemable at the front office. We also had a turning schedule, ex. 12 am res in bed were to be on their backs if up in w/c they were to be on blue side of cushion, 2 am res in bed to be on R side, res in w/c to be on yellow side of cushion. ( non pressure reducing cushions had 2 colors, res with one sided pressure reducing cushions were repositioned without flipping cushion -- this was usually the best place to hide coupons since you couldn't tell just by the face up color if this person had been repositioned.) The coupon expired in 3hrs and person who hid it writes the time it was placed under the pillow, cushion or under res. At 10 minutes til the hour supervisor was to page what position or color was appropriate, then staff was to reposition all res that were at risk for pressure ulcers. The paging was the part that was hard-- trying to remember always thought it would work better if it was automated through the page system during waking hours.