Sustaining Unit-Based Skin Champions: "Champ Camp"

Purpose:
The role of the skin champion is to provide expert knowledge and peer consultation on pressure ulcers and participate in quarterly NDNQI data collection. The establishment of quarterly skin champion "Champ Camp" is an innovative strategy for sustaining the necessary competency for the role.

Significance:
Best practice guidelines for hospital pressure ulcer prevention recommend unit-based skin champions. As part of a comprehensive pressure ulcer prevention program, unit-based skin champions are a key factor in the success stories from institutions that have reduced hospital acquired pressure ulcers.

Strategy and Implementation:
At our 800 bed level-1 trauma teaching hospital, maintaining the 70-member unit-based skin champions over the past decade has been challenging. Issues with turn-over, maintaining competency, competing initiatives, scheduling, staffing coverage, manager buy-in and sustaining enthusiasm have threatened the cohesiveness and efficacy of the group. The establishment of quarterly "Skin Champ Camp" over the past 3 years has provided a reliable framework for sustaining the group. Dates for "Champ Camp" are established one year in advance to plan for staffing needs and scheduling. House-wide quarterly NDNQI P&I data collection is completed by champions in the morning and entered electronically. Team members enjoy lunch,case studies, a structured skill learning activity, validation exercise, product/procedure update and educational offering with guest speaker. Training/education focuses on pertinent issues often encountered in the morning data collection affording meaningful practice change.

Evaluation:
Satisfaction is high for the predictable structure of "Champ Camp": attendance is 100% per unit; managers favor the Camp for coverage, off-shift champions can plan. Preliminary P&I data are available for discussion by afternoon and strategies for quality processes are set for the coming quarter.

Implications for Practice:
Unit-based experts are a valuable method for improving quality and safety.However, the care and maintenance of such teams can be challenging. Sustaining the team is accomplished by combining the function of NDNQI data collection with skill/team building in an efficiently planned time-frame.