Working Together to Prevent and Manage Pressure Ulcers in Nursing Homes

Preventing and managing pressure ulcers in nursing homes isn’t the responsibility of a single person or department. It requires a coordinated, interdisciplinary effort to protect residents from developing wounds and to ensure effective treatment when they do occur. Without this team approach, residents are at greater risk for complications, infections, and hospitalizations that impact their health and the facility’s quality ratings.

Pressure ulcers can develop at any time, especially among residents with limited mobility, poor nutrition, or chronic conditions. They often arise during periods of illness when residents spend more time in bed or when staffing shortages disrupt repositioning routines. These wounds not only affect comfort and quality of life but can also lead to regulatory citations, financial penalties, and reputational damage if not properly prevented or treated.

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In nursing homes that have successfully reduced pressure ulcer rates, staff across all roles understand their part in prevention:

• Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) are on the frontline, performing daily skin checks, repositioning residents regularly, managing incontinence care to keep skin dry, and encouraging small movements to promote circulation. Their early observations help identify redness or skin changes before wounds develop.
• Licensed Nurses (LPNs and RNs) conduct comprehensive skin assessments, implement wound care plans, educate CNAs on prevention techniques, and ensure accurate documentation. They also coordinate with physicians and wound care specialists for advanced interventions when needed.
• Dietitians play a critical role in supporting skin health and healing by assessing residents’ nutritional risk factors, recommending high-protein diets, vitamins, and hydration plans, and monitoring intake to prevent deficiencies that compromise skin integrity.
• Physical and Occupational Therapists (PTs and OTs) support mobility and proper positioning, helping residents regain strength, training staff on safe transfers and repositioning, and recommending support surfaces like pressure-relief mattresses or cushions.
• Administrators provide the leadership needed to maintain a culture of prevention. They ensure adequate staffing, offer ongoing training programs, implement facility-wide quality improvement initiatives, and maintain compliance with CMS regulations to avoid penalties and deficiencies.

Facilities that have fostered strong interdisciplinary teamwork often hold regular meetings to discuss high-risk residents, use open communication channels to keep everyone updated, and implement cross-training programs so all staff understand basic wound prevention strategies. These efforts ensure that care plans remain consistent, timely, and effective.

For example, some nursing homes working with nursing home consultants like Qsource have implemented structured pressure ulcer prevention programs that include real-time skin assessments, staff education modules, and root cause analysis of wound trends. These programs help reduce wound prevalence, improve documentation accuracy, and strengthen regulatory compliance.

While interventions such as repositioning schedules, nutritional support, and advanced wound care provide valuable protection, creating a fully tailored, facility-wide wound prevention program requires deeper strategic planning, customized staff training, and ongoing monitoring to sustain results.

Organizations like Qsource support nursing homes in developing these robust programs by providing education, compliance guidance, and quality improvement resources that empower staff to work together effectively. With the right systems in place, nursing homes can significantly reduce pressure ulcer risks, improve resident well-being, and maintain strong regulatory and quality performance.

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