Courses

The New Era of Pressure Injury Care: Quality Measures, Evidence-Based Practice, and Nutrition at the Core

What are the latest quality measures and best practices for pressure injury care?

Presenter(s): Kathleen Vollman, MSN, RN, CCNS, FCCM, FCNS, FAAN; Tennille Yates, MS, RDN; Amy Shepps, MBA, RDN

Program Date: 25 June 2025

Publication Date: 16 December 2025

Continuing Education Credits: Nurse Contact 1.0 CE; Dietitian 1.0 CPEU

Course Description

Discover the latest strategies to prevent and treat pressure injuries. Learn how CMS quality measures shape practice, explore evidence-based strategies for early identification and prevention, and learn why nutrition is essential for wound healing. Through practical insights and interdisciplinary best practices, participants will gain the knowledge to build a comprehensive pressure injury program that improves outcomes and drives quality care. Originally presented as a live webinar on 25 June 2025.

Course Objectives:
  • Evaluate new hospital pressure injury quality measures and discuss implications for clinical practice.
  • Discuss the best evidence-based strategies and tools for early identification, prevention, and treatment.
  • Identify nutrition best practices for quality wound care in the acute care setting.
  • Describe the key components of a comprehensive pressure injury program, inclusive of nutrition.
Key Takeaways:
  • Understanding CMS quality measures and eCQMs helps align care with standards to improve reimbursement and performance improvement in hospitals.
  • Early risk assessment, skin assessment, proper positioning, and interdisciplinary collaboration are essential for preventing and treating pressure injuries.
  • Nutrition is a critical component of pressure injury management, requiring timely screening, assessment, and targeted supplementation to improve outcomes.

Performance Indicators: 5.2.5, 9.1.1, 9.2.1

Activity Code: 190652

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Related Questions:
  • What are the key components of a comprehensive pressure injury prevention program?
    A comprehensive prevention program includes several evidence-based components: risk assessment using tools like the Braden Scale, regular skin assessments, use of appropriate support surfaces, repositioning to offload bony prominences, application of prophylactic dressings, heel elevation, and nutrition as a central element. These strategies work together to reduce the risk of pressure injuries in hospitalized patients.
  • How should nutrition be addressed for patients at risk of pressure injuries?
    Nutrition plays a critical role in pressure injury prevention and treatment. All adult patients should be screened for malnutrition using validated tools such as MST, MUST, NRS-2002, SGA, or MNA. Those identified as at risk should undergo a comprehensive nutrition assessment, and individualized plans should be developed. Best practices include encouraging a balanced diet with nutrient-dense foods and adequate hydration. For patients who are malnourished or at risk, protein supplementation is recommended when dietary intake is insufficient.
  • What is the Healthcare-Acquired Condition Reduction Program, and how does it impact hospitals?
    The Hospital-Acquired Condition Reduction Program is part of Medicare’s value-based purchasing initiative designed to improve patient safety. Under this program, hospitals that fall into the worst-performing quartile for hospital-acquired conditions receive a 1% reduction in their overall Medicare fee-for-service payments for all discharges during the fiscal year. This includes performance on measures such as pressure injuries, which are considered hospital-acquired conditions.

Course Instructor Bio(s)

Kathleen Vollman, MSN, RN, CCNS, FCNS, FCCM, FAAN

Clinical Nurse Specialist/Consultant
ADVANCING NURSING LLC
Northville, MI, USA

Kathleen Vollman, MSN, RN, CCNS, FCCM, FCNS, FAAN, is a Critical Care Clinical Nurse Specialist and Consultant. She has published and lectured nationally and internationally on a variety of topics, including pulmonary and critical care, prevention of healthcare-acquired injuries (including pressure injuries and CAUTI/CLABSIs), work culture, and sepsis recognition & management. She serves as a subject-matter expert on these topics for the American Hospital Association and the Michigan Hospital Association. From 1989 to 2003, she functioned in the role of Clinical Nurse Specialist for the Medical ICUs at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. Currently, her company, ADVANCING NURSING LLC, is focused on creating empowered work environments for healthcare practitioners through the acquisition of better skills, attainment of greater knowledge, and implementation of process improvement.

Tennille Yates, MS, RDN, LDN

Director, Clinical Nutrition Division
AdventHealth Central Florida Division
Orlando, FL, USA

Tennille Yates is an accomplished registered dietitian with over two decades of leadership experience. Currently serving as the Clinical Nutrition Director for the AdventHealth Central Florida Division, Tennille leads both adult and pediatric clinical nutrition teams across multiple hospital campuses in Central Florida. Her role involves driving performance improvement initiatives, supporting cross-functional teams and projects, leading quality assurance, and ensuring regulatory compliance.

Throughout her career, Tennille has demonstrated exceptional skills in project management, change management, and team collaboration. She has successfully managed construction projects, led clinical trials, and contributed to community health strategies. Her expertise also extends to nutrition informatics, where she has developed analytical dashboards, supported application adoption and implementation, and established division standards for software product management and implementation. Tennille's commitment to professional development is evident in her role as a preceptor for dietetic interns. She has also been instrumental in developing leaders and staff through targeted training programs.

Her educational background includes a Master of Science in Nutrition with a focus on Business Administration from Benedictine University and a Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Human Nutrition from the University of Florida. Tennille holds several certifications, including HACCP, ServSafe Manager, Prosci Change Manager, and Lean Six Sigma Black Belt. Tennille's contributions to the field have been recognized with the Premier Illuminating Excellence Award. She is an active member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Florida Dietetic Association.

Amy Shepps, MBA, RDN

Director of Corporate Reimbursement & Government Affairs
Abbott Nutrition
Washington, DC, USA 

Amy Shepps, MBA, RDN, serves as Director of Corporate Reimbursement on the Abbott Government Affairs team, based in Washington, DC. Amy leverages her expertise in clinical nutrition, quality improvement, and clinical nutrition management to proactively assess trends, policies, and emerging issues in federal and state government for Abbott’s Nutrition division. 

Category
CE CPEU Adult Inpatient Nutrition
Highlighted References:
  • Braden BI, Bergstrom N. Decubitus. 1989;2:44-51.
  • Jensen GL, et al. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2013:37(6):802-807. 
  • Anthony PS. Nutr Clin Pract. 2008;23(4):373-382. 
  • Skipper A, et al. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2020;120(4):709-713.
  • Ferguson M, et al. Nutrition. 1999;15:458-464.
  • Doughty D, et al. J Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs. 2012;39(3):303-315. 
  • Williamson R, et al. Ostomy Wound Manage. 2013;59(8):32-41.
  • National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel, European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel and Pan Pacific Pressure Injury Alliance. Nutrition in Pressure Injury Prevention. In: Prevention and Treatment of Pressure Ulcers/Injuries: Clinical Practice Guideline. The International Guideline: Fourth Edition. Emily Haesler (Ed). 2025. https://internationalguideline.com.

Abbott Nutrition’s Provider Statement for Nursing CEs:

Abbott Nutrition Health Institute is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by the California Board of Registered Nursing Provider #CEP 11213.

Abbott Nutrition’s Statement for Dietitian CPEUs:

This educational activity has been prior-approved by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). CDR credentialed practitioners will receive the specified continuing professional education units (CPEUs) for completion of this program/material.