Quality improvement, research, and evidence-based practice: 5 years experience with pressure ulcers

Quality improvement, research, and evidence-based practice: 5 years experience with pressure ulcers "The first requirement of a hospital is that it should do the sick no harm. " Florence Nightingale (1863) Skincare, a fundamental component of basic patient care, reflects on the overall quality of care that a patient receives in hospital. Quality care aimed at preventing and minimising skin breakdown and pressure ulcers has been identified as a nursing research priority. 1 During the past 5 years, we have undertaken a large research utilisation effort focused on skincare and pressure ulcers involving more than 20 nursing units at a Canadian university affiliated teaching institution. Diverse activities were undertaken to address the barriers to evidence-based practice with efforts occurring across the setting and at many levels of the organisation.