USA Hosts Pressure Injury Prevention Symposium
Posted on September 22, 2023 by College of Nursing
The University of South Alabama College of Nursing and USA Health Academic Practice Collaborative Council hosted the Pressure Injury Prevention Symposium at the USA Faculty Club on Sept. 20 for nurses around the Gulf Coast region. The event titled “Pressure Injury Prevention: Gap Analysis Drives Care” focused on evidence-based strategies to prevent pressure injuries.
The Pressure Injury Prevention Symposium is the council’s first project designed to provide education and training to both faculty and clinical partners.
“The Pressure Injury Prevention Symposium is a great opportunity for nurses throughout our community to learn from internationally recognized pressure injury prevention researchers,” Dr. Heather Hall, dean of the College of Nursing, said.
Presenters included Dr. Joyce Pittman, associate professor of nursing, Dr. Jo Ann Otts, associate professor of nursing, Dr. Bettina Riley, associate professor of nursing, and Dr. Frances Kelly, director of clinical excellence at USA Children’s and Women’s Hospital.
Pittman’s presentations included “Driving Quality through PIP” and “Where the Rubber Meets the Road: Operationalizing Guidelines – SPIPP.” Otts presented “EBP Drives Outcomes” and “PIP Gap Analysis Drives Change.”
Riley presented “Voice from Behind the Wheel: Key Stakeholder Perspective.” Kelly presented “Connecting Quality to EBP to Drive Improvement.”
Each session created opportunities for discussion about health equity issues related to pressure injuries and ongoing research that promotes evidence-based practice and quality improvement strategies. The afternoon sessions included a diverse panel of clinical leaders and direct care nurses who shared about sensitive issues related to skin color tones and how to improve care.
“The PIP Symposium was a success that enabled College of Nursing faculty and USA Health to come together and join forces to increase awareness of the importance of pressure injury prevention and share strategies to improve the care we provide to everyone we serve,” Dr. Joyce Pittman said.
The free symposium was sponsored by a Smith & Nephew grant and provided an opportunity for healthcare professionals to receive continuing education credit.
Pressure injury prevention is a patient safety issue that is often not highlighted as frequently as other safety concerns. Stop Pressure Injury Day takes place on the third Thursday in November and will be on Nov. 16 this year. It is a great opportunity to increase awareness of the importance of pressure injury prevention and share strategies to improve the care provided to all patients.