Using the benchmarking process to enhance pressure ulcer prevention.

Pressure ulcers are a recognized source of increased debilitation that continually impact on patients' quality of life and the NHS economy. While it remains arguable that all pressure ulcers can be prevented, it could be suggested that with closer monitoring of care provision by the healthcare professionals delivering that care, not only will quality of care be enhanced but a reduction in pressure ulcer incidence is a further potential outcome. The Department of Health prioritised pressure ulcer prevention within Essence of Care and the introduction of clinical benchmarking across a number of care settings demonstrates that care provision relating to pressure ulcer prevention can be enhanced through this process. Clinical benchmarking is an on-going process and should remain an integral component to every day nursing practice in order to sustain this positive phenomenon of change.