Rehabilitation Nursing Challenges for Patients With Lower Limb Amputation

Early Identification, Intervention, and Prevention of Hospital-Acquired Pressure Injuries Using a Nurse-Driven Pressure Injury Prevention Program

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this quality improvement project was to reduce the hospital-acquired pressure injury (HAPI) rate to less than 1.177 per 1000 patient-days, increase staff competency and care in pressure injury prevention best practices through implementation of a nurse-driven pressure injury prevention program, to engage patients in pressure injury prevention through implementation of skin rounds, and improve staff adherence to documentation requirements for pressure injury interventions on an amputee/stroke unit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT/PROGRAM

HAPIs can lead to negative patient outcomes including pain, infection, extended hospitalization, and morbidity. Using an evidence-based education strategy, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality pressure ulcer prevention clinical pathway and skin rounds were implemented. Focused education for nursing, staff competency, daily audits, HAPI rates, and documentation compliance were evaluated pre and post intervention.

OUTCOMES

The HAPI rate reduced from 1.177 to 0.272 per 1000 patient-days. After completion, the unit maintained zero pressure injuries, daily patient care for pressure injuries improved, documentation compliance increased, and staffs' knowledge and skill set in early identification, intervention, and prevention of pressure injuries heightened.

CONCLUSION

A nurse-driven pressure injury prevention program was successful in the reduction of the HAPI rate.

Postinjury Care and Complications Among U.S. Military Women With Combat-Related Major Limb Traumatic Amputation

BACKGROUND

U.S. servicewomen may be at greater risk of injury in future conflicts as they integrate into combat occupations. More than 1,000 servicewomen were wounded during military conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Some women sustained traumatic amputations, and research on their postinjury health is needed.

OBJECTIVE

To describe acute care, complications, and health care utilization among servicewomen with combat-related amputations, comparing them with injured men.

METHODS

In this retrospective matched-pairs study, women were identified from the Expeditionary Medical Encounter Database between 2003 and 2012 and matched with men on amputation injuries, injury severity, and age. Differences were assessed with nonparametric tests for paired data.

RESULTS

Of 20 women identified for analysis, 13 received tourniquets, three were administered procoagulants, and six had massive transfusions. Women averaged 3.4 (SD = 1.6) postinjury complications, and the most frequent were heterotopic ossification (n = 17), posthemorrhagic anemias (n = 13), and bacterial wound infections (n = 10). Acute care and complications were similar among men. Women averaged more acute care days (M = 49.8, SD = 30.6) than men (M = 46.1, SD = 27.4) but fewer intensive care unit days (women: M = 2.6, SD = 4.0; men: M = 4.4, SD = 8.3). No statistical differences were observed.

CONCLUSION

Postinjury care among servicewomen with combat-related amputations was comparable with servicemen, and complications were common. This information can aid providers and nursing staff in the management of these injuries.