BEACON Initiatives – Track #1
Everything You Always Wanted to Know About HAPU Prevention
9:35 am - 10:35 am
Pressure Ulcer Prevention: A Team Approach
Jennifer Berg, BSN, RN, CWOCN, ValleyCare Health System
Reducing Hospital Acquired Pressure Ulcers By Using An Evidence-Based Standardized Nursing Procedure
Chungmei Shih, RN, MSN, CWCN, CNS, Cynthia Aye, RN, Menchu Cruz, RN, Tess Garcia, RN,
Amelia Hui, RD, Carmen Manosca, RN; RN, Maritess Rodriguez, RN, Washington Hospital Healthcare System
Improving Hospital Acquired Pressure Ulcer Outcomes Through Staff Engagement
Molly Tappe, RN, BSN, John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek
Three hospitals shared the ingredients that contribute to their success with preventing HAPUs. Here are a few
keys to their success:
- Making HAPU reduction a multi-disciplinary effort, including Nursing, CNAs, Respiratory Therapy, Nutrition Services, Physical/Occupational Therapy, Perioperative Services, Central Processing, Materials Management (Supplies), Engineering/BioMed, and physicians
- Using of specialty bed decision trees guide nursing staff in choosing the correct surface
- Involving front line staff (nursing and CNAs) as well as charge nurses in the prevalence studies and chart review increases buy-in, increases the understanding of the issues involved, and improves compliance with interventions
- Looking at medical devices, e.g. immobilizers, restraints, Ted hose, heel suspension boots, abdominal binder when assessing a patient for potential risks for HAPU
Lessons Learned on Fall Prevention from Non-Acute Care Settings
10:55 am - 11:55 am
Fall Prevention Challenges & Strategies in the VAPAHCS Community Living Centers
Karen Boatright, RN, CNS; Marie Fernandez, RN, CNS; Cherina Tinio, RN, CNS; Levanne Hendrix, PhD
VA Palo Alto HealthCare System
Fall Protocol, Acute Rehabilitation Unit
Margie Ramirez-Yumul, RN, CRRN; Tim Wong, PTA; Robin Hartford, SLP, St. Francis Memorial Hospital
Preventing falls and falls with injury in non-acute care settings pose unique challenges. In this session,
two organizations shared their experience with fall prevention. We heard from an acute rehab unit and a
community living center. Examples of strategies these facilities use to reduce falls and falls with injury include
patient education/visual reminders, hourly rounding with purpose, fall huddles, data tracking and trending
involving a multi-disciplinary team, using an array of equipment to not only prevent falls, but to prevent injuries
(e.g. helmets and hip protectors), and restorative exercise programs. Empowering staff, role modeling and
persistence also factored in their success.
Surviving Sepsis - It Takes More Than a Central Line
2:20 pm - 3:20 pm
It Takes More Than a Central Line: Engaging Physicians
Alan Whippy, MD, Kaiser Permanente Medical Group
Sepsis and Beyond
Katie Choy, MS, RN-BC, CNS, NEA-BC, Washington Hospital Healthcare System
Sutter Health's Surviving Sepsis Experience
Jennifer Giusti, RN, BSN, Sutter West Bay Region
Reducing sepsis mortality is moving a big dot; it impacts severity-adjusted ICU mortality and overall mortality.
Keys to one organization’s success include identifying sepsis as an organizational priority, involving key
stakeholders, implementing of early detection screening, implementing aggressive treatment policies/
standards, and tracking, evaluating, and reporting outcomes. Another facility shared how they engage
physicians: through data sharing (harm), making the current state undesirable (heat), and through storytelling
(heart). A third organization shared how educating physicians, staff, and the community about sepsis
contributed to their success.
Link to complete list of presentations and highlights from the 2010 Exchange
Download a pdf of the complete Highlights of the 2010 Exchange