Early Identification
For any new skin break an investigation (quality assurance audit is completed by the nursing supervisor) is initiated to determine causality (scratch, skin tear or pressure site). The unit nurse follows the chain of command and report findings. Audits are trended and reported into the Infection Control Committee (a sub-committee of performance improvement committee). The unit nurse informs the physician and obtains a treatment order on day of discovery. This investigation determines if the skin break was avoidable or unavoidable; and root cause of the condition or problem.