Giving back to patients and the worldwide healthcare community

Ascension Nurses Participate In Global Pressure Injury Study

The compassion and expertise of Ascension’s nursing community are not limited to just those in their care.

During the 2023 annual International Pressure Ulcer/Injury Prevalence (IPUP) Survey™, nurses contributed to a crucial body of research that supports improved outcomes for patients all over the world.

Throughout March, nurses at over 100 sites of care across Ascension joined healthcare organizations from around the world in the survey, which collects important data to understand pressure injuries. Ascension sites of care have participated in the survey for more than a decade.

“Ascension’s historical participation in the survey is one example of how we live out our Mission to provide compassionate, personalized care that improves and sustains the health of communities — in this case, for patients around the world,” said Maureen “Mo” Chadwick, PhD, MSN, RN, NE-BC, Senior Vice President, Nursing and Chief Nursing Officer, Ascension. “During this study, nurses leverage their exceptional work at the bedside to drive high-quality care and transform the future of the profession.”

Pressure injuries — sores or wounds that develop on skin areas under pressure — can occur in vulnerable patients. These injuries may cause pain, functional challenges and social isolation, on top of clinical complications. According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, more than 2.5 million people in the U.S. develop pressure injuries each year.

During the survey, nurses conduct additional assessments for each patient, over and above the clinical standard, to learn more about the prevalence and severity of pressure injuries as well as factors that influence the condition, including surgical history, nutrition, skin tone and more.

The data is entered into the world’s largest global pressure injury database, which is accessed by researchers internationally to determine the best ways to prevent and treat these injuries for improved patient outcomes.

“Skin can tell the healthcare team a lot about a patient’s overall health, and many factors contribute to skin injuries and how they are detected and treated,” said Becky Hellrich, MSN, RN, NE-BC, NPD-BC, Vice President, Nursing Practice, Ascension. “By carefully examining the many elements surrounding skin injuries, our nurses are helping clinicians match patients’ individual needs with the best available knowledge of what works.”

For example, earlier-stage pressure injuries can be challenging to detect in patients with darker skin tones, and this delayed detection can contribute to healthcare disparities in communities of color. For this year’s survey, Ascension identified a new opportunity to measure the prevalence of pressure injuries in patients with darker skin tones.

“The IPUP Survey is a big undertaking, and we thank all nurses who took on additional responsibilities to complete it for their dedication to safe, high-quality care,” Becky said. “This work not only gives back to our own communities but also bolsters the entire healthcare profession by supporting evidence-based care that addresses social determinants of health.”