A retrospective study published in the Joint Commission Journal of Quality and Patient Safety examined rates of hospital acquired pressure ulcers, utilizing the national Database of Nursing Quality Indicators (NDNQI) data from 2010. Among the findings:

• Overall occurrence rates have been decreasing. Current national rate is 3.6; MUSC's latest rate (from Q2 in 2013) is 4.4
• There is seasonable variability in the rates of occurrence, with winter months higher than summer months.
• Larger hospitals had higher rates
• Implementation of evidenced based practice in patients identified to be at high risk was inconsistent, with up to 44% of patients not receiving required interventions.
• Routine repositioning reduced the odds of acquiring a pressure ulcer by 14%.