Carole Parisien MSN, RN, Kristiina Hyrkas PhD, LicSc, MNSc, RN &
Susan Reeder BSN, CWCN, RN

 Objectives:
1.       To identify the varying requirements of indicator data collection for internal and external reporting purposes and strategies to streamline the data collection process focusing on PU data collection as an example.  
2.      To introduce and discuss the step-by-step approach to improve the availability of PU data for the assessment and prevention of pressure ulcers

 Purpose: The purpose of this presentation is to determine and discuss the best possible approach for collecting PU data to consistently provide information for external/public and internal reporting and communicate the findings of the prevalence study timely to leadership and staff nurses.  

 Description:
This session is going to focus on the current challenges concerning indicator data collection in clinical settings. Today the hospital organizations are collecting increasing amounts of data concerning several indicators, and these are reported to many different sources in a short timeframe both internally and externally.  The clinical bedside nurses are faced with competing demands for coordinating patient care needs and monitoring nursing practice to achieve quality patient outcomes.   The target has been on efficient methods of data collection to assist the provider in identifying opportunities for improvement.  During the session the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) process of developing a concise data collection tool, re-organized data entry and developed user-friendly database to store and report the data are introduced.  Utilizing the nurses who conduct the PU prevalence study to enter these data into a database can result in an immediate insight in what the data indicates and can have a direct effect on earlier implementation of prevention protocols.
Summary: 
Implementing and maintaining effective indicator data collection requires various initiatives including identifying human resources, establishing communication, evaluating data collection tools, and developing a user-friendly database.  The strategy and PDCA process implemented are serving as a starting point for developing the data collection for other indicators. 
Implications for practice:
Revising the process for conducting PU prevalence studies will provide consistent data and meet expectations for public reporting.   When nurses have accurate and timely data available for analysis, opportunities for improvement can be identified and prevention initiatives can be developed and implemented to improve patient outcomes.