The following are organizations, associations, coalitions, and agencies involved in the prevention of pressure ulcers. Many of these sites provide information and resources concerning the prevention of pressure ulcers.
- Advancing Excellence in America’s Nursing Homes – http://www.nhqualitycampaign.org/
Advancing Excellence in America’s Nursing Homes is a coalition-based campaign to improve the quality of life for residents in America's nursing homes. Preventing pressure ulcers is one of the campaign goals. Other goals include reducing the use of physical restraints and promoting staff stability and consistency – all of which help prevent pressure ulcers. To get consumer fact sheets on Reducing the Use of Daily Physical Restraints, Increasing Staff Retention, and Improving Consistent Assignment, go to:
http://www.nhqualitycampaign.org/star_index.aspx?controls=consumer
A number of webinars are available. Topics include pressure ulcers, staff stability and consistent assignment. To access the webinars, go to:
http://www.nhqualitycampaign.org/star_index.aspx?controls=webinars
- Agency for Healthcare Quality and Research (AHRQ) – http://www.ahrq.gov/
Between 1992 and 1996, the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (now the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality) sponsored development of a series of 19 clinical practice guidelines. The AHCPR Clinical guidelines for pressure ulcers may be found at:
http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/cpgonline.htm
- American Professional Wound Care Association (APWCA) - http://www.apwca.org/
The American Professional Wound Care Association is a non-profit medical association welcoming all medical specialties involved in treating the various forms of non-healing wounds, including diabetic, vascular, ischemic, pressure ulcers, burns, and cancer.
- National Alliance of Wound Care (NAWC) – www.nawccb.org/
The National Alliance of Wound Care® (NAWC®) is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to the advancement and promotion of excellence in wound care through the certification of wound care practitioners.
- National Citizen’s Coalition for Nursing Home Reform (NCCNHR) – http://www.nccnhr.org/
This national organization advocates for quality for nursing home residents and others with long term care needs.
- National Consumer Voice for Quality Long Term Care – http://theconsumervoice.org
This national organization advocates for quality for nursing home residents and others with long term care needs. To access consumer facts on Assessment and Care Planning and Basics of individualized Quality Care, go to:
http://theconsumervoice.org/uploads/files/issues/assessment__care_planning-final.pdf
http://theconsumervoice.org/uploads/files/issues/basics-of-individualized-quality-care-factsheet-final.pdf
- National Pressure Advisory Panel (NPUAP) - http://www.npuap.org/
The National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP) serves as the authoritative voice for improved patient outcomes in pressure ulcer prevention and treatment through public policy, education and research.
- Prevention Plus: Home of the Braden Scale – http://www.bradenscale.com/
Prevention Plus provides services and products related to the Braden Scale for Predicting Pressure Sore Risk© and evidence-based programs of pressure ulcer prevention. Prevention Plus was founded in 1998 by Barbara Braden and Nancy Bergstrom and is based on their extensive research in patient care. Many of the Prevention Plus products based on this research are provided without charge.
- Wound Care Education Institute (WCEI) – http://www.wcei.net/
The Wound Care Education Institute (WCEI) offers a comprehensive skin and wound care training program at locations throughout the United States. Upon successful completion of their Skin and Wound Management Course, eligible Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical/ Vocational Nurses, Physical Therapists, PTAs, Occupational Therapists, Nurse Practitioners, Physicians and Physician Assistants can sit for National Certification in Wound Care exam offered by the National Alliance of Wound Care®.
- Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society (WOCN) - http://www.wocn.org/
Founded in 1968, the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society (WOCN) is a professional, international nursing society of more than 4,200 healthcare professionals who are experts in the care of patients with wound, ostomy and incontinence.