Continuing Nursing Education on Prevention of Hospital Acquired Pressure Injury

Subadhra Devi1, Mahalakskmi2

1Nurse Educator Kauvery Hospital Cantonment, Trichy, Tamil Nadu

2Nursing Superintendent, Kauvery hospital, Cantonment, Trichy, Tamil Nadu

Background

Hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs) continue to be one of the most pressing challenges in patient safety, affecting recovery, prolonging hospital stay, and increasing treatment costs. They are largely preventable.  When they occur, they cause significant discomfort, infection risk, and even long-term complications for patients. With nurses playing a frontline role in their prevention, Kauvery Hospital, Cantonment, Trichy, organized an in-house Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) program on “Prevention of Hospital Acquired Pressure Injury” on 25 July 2025.

The program was initiated by Mrs. Maha Lakshmi, Nursing Superintendent, in collaboration with Ms. Subadhra Devi, Nurse Educator, with the vision of strengthening nursing practice and equipping staff with the skills needed to reduce preventable harm. A total of fifty nurses participated in this enriching educational event, which brought together evidence-based learning, practical demonstrations, and interactive discussions.

Organizing Chairperson: 1

Organizing Secretary: 1

Speakers (Nurses): 6

Delegates-50

Objective

The objective of this program was to enhance the knowledge and skills of nurses in preventing hospital acquired pressure injury. It aimed to help participants understand causes and risk factors, improve their ability to assess and stage ulcers, and apply effective prevention and management strategies. Through demonstration and hands-on practice, nurses would learn proper wound care, dressing techniques, and patient education methods. The program also encouraged teamwork and used pre and posttest evaluation of learning outcome

Program Overview

CNE program covered 6 pivotal topics delivered by esteemed speakers

The day began with a pre-test, facilitated by Ms. Mary Vincila, Nursing Supervisor, which used QR codes to evaluate the baseline knowledge of the participants. This set the stage for a focused learning experience by identifying existing gaps.

The sessions unfolded with Ms. Reeni Mary, Nursing In-Charge, who elaborated on the etiological factors of pressure injuries. She highlighted how forces like pressure, friction, shear, and moisture, combined with risk factors such as immobility, poor nutrition, and chronic illness, contribute to ulcer formation. The discussion emphasized that timely interventions such as repositioning, nutritional support, and vigilant skin care could significantly reduce the incidence of HAPIs.

Following this, Ms. Kalaiselvi, Senior Nursing Supervisor, spoke on the assessment of pressure ulcers. She emphasized the importance of systematic evaluation—carefully noting site, size, stage, and surrounding skin condition, along with timely documentation. Early detection, she stressed, is key to preventing complications and improving outcomes.

One of the most engaging sessions was led by Ms. Subadhra Devi, who presented case studies that allowed participants to apply theoretical knowledge to real clinical scenarios. Nurses explored how to identify risk factors, implement preventive measures, and make quick, effective decisions in challenging patient situations. This interactive approach fostered critical thinking and enhanced confidence among participants.

The importance of accurate staging was then addressed by Ms. Jencia, Nursing In-Charge, who clearly explained how, categorizing ulcers from Stage I to Stage IV, along with recognizing unstable ulcers and deep tissue injuries, guides clinical management. She emphasized that proper staging, combined with infection control, nutrition, and mobility support, is central to healing.

Stage 1: Pressure injury

Stage 2 Pressure injury

Stage 3 Pressure injury

 

Stage 4 Pressure injury

Further insights came from Ms. Stella, Nursing Supervisor, who shared practical strategies for both prevention and management. She reiterated that prevention rests on simple but consistent practices—regular repositioning, pressure-relieving devices, maintaining skin integrity, and ensuring adequate hydration and nutrition. On the management side, she spoke about appropriate dressing techniques, infection monitoring, and the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration.

Bringing theory into practice, Ms. Christinal Rajathi, Nursing In-Charge, conducted a demonstration and hands-on session. Nurses practiced repositioning, safe handling, skin inspection, and proper use of support surfaces. This session was particularly well received as it allowed participants to translate their learning into practical bedside skills.

The program concluded with a post-test, conducted by Ms. Bakiyalakshmi, Nursing Supervisor, which reflected significant improvement in knowledge and understanding. Participants reported feeling more confident in their ability to prevent and manage pressure injuries, and the sessions encouraged them to bring these practices into their daily routine.

Conclusion

In reflecting on the program, what stood out most was the way each session built upon the last—starting with causes, moving through assessment, staging, prevention, and management, and finally ending with hands-on application. The structured approach, combined with interactive learning, not only enhanced knowledge but also instilled a renewed sense of responsibility among the nurses.

This CNE reinforced an essential truth: preventing pressure injuries is not merely about following protocols, but about vigilance, timely intervention, teamwork, and compassion. By strengthening the knowledge and skills of nurses, Kauvery Hospital continues its commitment to improving patient safety and ensuring dignity in care.

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