Studies of multidisciplinary programmes to prevent pressure ulcers that were implemented in acute-care or long-term care facilities were eligible for inclusion. Studies had to report the prevalence or incidence rates of pressure ulcers before and after the programmes were implemented. No limitations were placed on site-specific pressure ulcers.
The included studies were longitudinal before and after studies. Most studies were conducted in acute care settings; most were single site, but a few were multi-site studies. Treatment teams were generally multidisciplinary, and comprised of nurses, physicians, physical therapists, wound experts, educators, managers, and directors (where specified). The components of the programmes included staff education, pressure ulcer prevention best practices, clinical monitoring and feedback, skin care champions, strategies to sustain efforts and other elements. All except study were published from 2000 onwards. Most studies were conducted in North America or Western Europe. No patients characteristics were provided.
The authors did not state how many reviewers performed study selection.