Root cause analysis helps hospitals to reduce pressure ulcers

UAB Hospital in Birmingham, Ala. decreased hospital-acquired pressure injuries by using an electronic root cause analysis reporting system, according to a study. Published in the May/June issue of The Journal for Healthcare Quality, the author notes the analysis enabled the hospital to identify contributing factors and potential solutions. The hospital hired and trained dedicated nursing staff and developed an electronic health record form to document and track hospital-acquired pressure ulcers. Using the electronic form has resulted in improvement, dissemination of best practices and fostering non-punitive accountability. In two years, the hospital reduced hospital-acquired pressure ulcers by 53.5%. (AHRQ Patient Safety Network article, 5/24/23)