Date
8-20-2026
Department
School of Nursing
Degree
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Chair
Rachel Joseph
Keywords
pressure injury prevention, pressure ulcer, hospital-acquired pressure injuries, quality improvement of pressure injury.
Disciplines
Nursing
Recommended Citation
Moses, Beverley A., "Implementation of Staff Education to Reduce or Prevent Pressure Injury" (2026). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 8823.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/8823
Abstract
Pressure injuries (PIs) present a significant clinical challenge in healthcare settings, particularly among patients with limited mobility, comorbidities, and complex musculoskeletal injuries. These injuries lead to adverse patient outcomes, such as increased morbidity, prolonged hospital stays, and an increase in healthcare costs. Despite advancements in clinical practice, PI prevention remains a critical area for quality improvement, necessitating a standardized, patient-centered approach to care. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project aimed to improve patient outcomes by implementing a standardized educational initiative for nursing staff in a bone and joint unit at a private hospital in Upstate New York. The project sought to increase staff competency in PI risk assessment, thereby reducing or preventing the incidence of hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs). Grounded in the Iowa Model of Evidence-Based Practice and Lewin’s Change Theory, the project utilized a descriptive, quasi-experimental design. The intervention focused on PI risk factors, the use of the Braden Scale for assessment, and evidence-based preventive strategies such as standardized repositioning and skin assessment to educate the nursing staff. Effectiveness was measured through pre- and post-test surveys to assess knowledge gain and by tracking HAPI incidence rates over a period of two months post-implementation. The project successfully engaged 26 staff members with a participation rate of 74.28%. Data analysis revealed a significant improvement in staff knowledge, with post-test scores and clinically, the initiative achieved a 25% reduction in HAPI incidence within the unit. The findings demonstrate that targeted, interactive staff education is an effective strategy for mitigating PI risk and enhancing clinical outcomes.
