Blending Evidence-Based Practice and Lean Six Sigma Methodology to Reduce Hospital-Acquired Pressure Injuries in a Progressive Care Unit.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs) continue to challenge acute care facilities. Best practice to reduce HAPI includes assessment, documentation, positioning, and treatment. LOCAL PROBLEM: In spite of using evidence-based practices, the hospital's gastrointestinal/genitourinary progressive care unit had more HAPIs each month than the other units in the hospital. METHODS: A combination of Lean Six Sigma and evidence-based practice was used to decrease HAPIs. INTERVENTIONS: The T program (turn, touch, and tidy) was developed to address the areas of concern identified in the root cause analysis. RESULTS: HAPIs were reduced from 22 in the previous 2 quarters to zero for 3 consecutive quarters with a cost avoidance to $379 767. CONCLUSIONS: The successful implementation of the T program was the result of blending Lean Six Sigma and evidence-based practice.