Zeroing in on Pressure Injury Prevention: Raise the Bar

Preliminary Agenda

This year there will be two different tracks focused on key components of Pressure Injury. Please note that attendees can move back and forth between tracks.

Please note, the agenda was last updated on February 25, 2025. Additional updates are forthcoming and will also be reflected in the conference mobile app - coming soon!
Date/Time (CT) Track Title Speakers Objectives
Wednesday, February 26th: Pre-Cons
11:30 AM - 5:00 PM Registration - Grand Hall
1:00 - 4:30 PM Pre-Con Raise the Bar: Adding a Legal View to Your RCA
(3.5 CE)
Add-On Workshop - For more information, please visit the NPIAP Annual Conference Pricing Page.
Room D2-3		 Joyce Black, PhD RN FAAN;
Thomas Buchanan, JD		 1. List the elements of a lawsuit
2. Discover the forensics that determined when a pressure injury developed
3. Describe the importance of revisions in the treatment plan of care when changes occur in pressure injuries.
4. Identify how documentation is crucial to defending the care provided when lawsuits are filed
5. Explain how critical thinking is valuable to explain the pressure injury prevention
6. Discuss the role of the expert witness in lawsuits
1:00 - 4:30 PM Pre-Con Rest Assured: Support Surface Selection and Investment Protection
(3.5 CE)
Add-On Workshop - For more information, please visit the NPIAP Annual Conference Pricing Page.
Room A1-3		 Michele Deppisch, PT CWS FACCWS;
Stephanie Slayton, PT DPT CWS CLT-LANA;
Rachael Mosley, MS BSN RN CWON APHN;
Kristen Thurman, PT MPT CWS		 After completing the program, the learner will:
1. List performance characteristics of full body support surfaces
2. Delineate factors used to match patient’s needs with full body support surfaces
3. Propose components of proper care of support surfaces that maximize their lifespan
4.List visible signs of degraded support surfaces
5. Identify aspects of new knowledge that can be implemented to change practice
6:00 - 7:30 PM Reception: Meet the NPIAP Board Cocktail Hour - Grand Hall
Thursday, February 27th
6:30 AM - 5:30 PM General Session Registration - Grand Hall
6:30 - 7:50 AM General Session Breakfast Symposium – Convatec
Room D2-3

The Road to Zero: Implementing Evidence-Based Solutions to Preventing Hospital Acquired Pressure Injuries		 Rafael Rafols, MD, CWSP, FACCWS
CEO, Wound Management Group
Mission, Harlingen, and Rio Grande City, TX
Physician, Doctors Hospital at Renaissance
Edinburg, TX
Wound Care Program Director, Solara Specialty and Cornerstone Hospitals McAllen, TX

Shenna Lou Barcena, MBA, BSN, RN
Vice President of Nursing
DHR Health
Edinburg, Texas 		The overall impact of Hospital-Acquired Pressure Injury (HAPI) on patient outcomes and healthcare costs is well documented. This session will use a case study format to present the benefits of interdisciplinary collaboration in integrating evidence-based solutions in HAPI prevention within the challenges of providing care in a largely minority serving health system.
Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the importance and impact of HAPIs on patient outcomes and healthcare costs
2. Discuss one facility’s journey to implement practical, evidence-based strategies for HAPI prevention into clinical practice
3. Highlight the role of interdisciplinary collaboration in reducing HAPI incidence and improving patient safety
8:00 - 8:15 AM General Session Welcoming Announcements

Dallas Ballroom BC		 Joyce Black, PhD RN FAAN;
Dave Brienza, PhD, NPIAP President
8:15 - 9:15 AM General Session Update on PI International Guidelines: Prevention Recommendations, Good Practice Statement and Implementation Considerations
(1 CE)

Dallas Ballroom BC		 Janet Cuddigan, PhD RN FAAN
Moderator: Dave Brienza, PhD, NPIAP President		 1. Understand the process of moving research into practice through guideline development
2. Identify Recommendations, Good Practice Statements and/or Implementation Considerations that can improve pressure injury prevention for my patients
9:20 - 10:05 AM General Session Why are Pressure Injuries Such a Common Lawsuit?
(.75 CE)

Dallas Ballroom BC		 Joyce Black, PhD RN FAAN;
Thomas Buchanan, JD
Moderator: Dave Brienza, PhD, NPIAP President		 1. List the elements of a lawsuit
2. Discover the forensics that determined when a pressure injury developed
3. Describe the importance of revisions in the treatment plan of care when changes occur in pressure injuries
4. Identify how documentation is crucial to defending the care provided when lawsuits are filed
5. Explain how critical thinking is valuable to explain the pressure injury prevention
6. Discuss the role of the expert witness in lawsuits
10:05 - 10:25 AM Coffee Break - Grand Hall
10:25 - 11:10 AM Track 1 Reporting of PI's: Federal, NDNQI and SPS
(.75 CE)

Dallas Ballroom BC		 Virginia Capasso, PhD CNP CNS CWS FACCWS FAAN;
Michele Deppisch, PT CWS FACCWS;
Ann Marie Nie, PhD MSN FNP-BC CWOCN WOCNF
Moderator: Michele Deppisch, PT CWS FACCWS		 Delineate the one feature of the structure, process, and outcomes of quality reporting required for:
1. Electronic Clinical Quality Measures (eCQM)
2. National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators (NDNQI)
3. Solutions for Patient Safety (SPS)
10:25 - 11:10 AM Track 2 Differential Diagnosis of Pressure Injuries: Other Wound Types
(.75 CE)

Room A1-3		 Sam Nwafor, MD FACP FAPWCA
Moderator: David Alper, DPM		 1. Identify various clinical entities that may bear semblance to pressure injuries
2. Develop a clinical strategy to avoid the pitfalls and errors in pressure injury recognition during wound and skin examination
3. Recognize the importance of adequate history taking and chart review in pressure injury assessment
4. Recognize the clinical impact of misdiagnosis of pressure injuries in overall patient outcomes
11:15 AM - 12:00 PM Track 1 Public Policy Efforts by NPIAP
(.75 CE)

Dallas Ballroom BC		 David Alper, DPM;
Sam Nwafor, MD FACP FAPWCA
Moderator: Dave Brienza, PhD, NPIAP President		 1. Evaluate how NPIAP develops strategies for evidence driven engagement in pursuit of its advocacy efforts
2. Understand how NPIAP Identifies key partners and potential champions amongst policymakers to advance the organization's public policy positions
11:15 AM- 12:00 PM Track 2 Pitfalls in Pressure Injury Staging
(.75 CE)

Room A1-3		 Joyce Black, PhD RN FAAN
Moderator: Tanya Martel, DNP FNP-BC CWOCN		 1. Identify the most common stages of pressure injury that are difficult to discern which stage is present
2. Examine pertinent history findings and physical assessment techniques that aid in diagnosis of pressure injury stages
12:00 - 1:30 PM Lunch - Grand Hall
1:30 - 2:15 PM Track 1 Working Effectively with the Safety Department in PI Prevention
(.75 CE)

Dallas Ballroom BC		 Carla Aquino, DNP RN;
Tanya Martel, DNP FNP-BC CWOCN
Moderator: Colleen Snydeman, PhD RN NE-BC		 1. State understanding of two data sources utilized to capture PI incidence and prevalence
2. Explain two key points in performing RCA for HAPI
3. State one key point in using data to drive outcome measures
4. State understanding of structures, processes, and outcomes of pressure injury prevention programs
1:30 - 2:15 PM Track 2 Examination of Skin Tone and PI Prevalence: A Look at the 2023 IPUP Survey Results
(.75 CE)

Room A1-3		 Susan Solmos, PhD MSN RN CWCN;
Cynthia Lafond, PhD RN CCRN
Moderator: Eleonor Pusey-Reid, DNP RN MS Med		 1. Identify rationale for assessing skin tone during pressure injury prevalence
2. Differentiate the strengths and weaknesses of available skin tone scales
3. Compare and contrast pressure injury outcomes across skin tones in an analysis of the 2023 IPUP survey
2:20 - 3:05 PM Track 1 Implementation of Clinical Excellence
(.75 CE)

Dallas Ballroom BC		 Colleen Snydeman, PhD RN NE-BC;
Kathleen Vollman, MSN RN CCNS FCCM FCNS FAAN
Moderator: Tany Martel, DNP FNP-BC CWOCN		 1.Identify one area of opportunity for pressure injury prevention improvement described in the clinical excellence assessment
2.Describe one component from each category of the Pressure Injury Prevention Analysis associated with the structures, processes and outcomes of an exemplary plan to help achieve clinical excellence
2:20 - 3:05 PM Track 2 Is It Possible to Prevent PI From Starting in the Emergency Department?
(.75 CE)

Room A1-3		 Cathy Van Houten, MS RN CNS CWOCN;
Lisa Grubb, DNP MSN BSN RN
Moderator: Carla Aquino, DNP RN		 1. Understand and implement a PI bundle in the Emergency Department
2. Evaluate one’s setting to implement PI prevention in the ED to decrease HAPI
3. Describe one hospital’s process to increase Nursing’s and Providers’ knowledge of pressure injury prevention interventions in the Emergency Department (ED)
4. Explain how a WOC nurse consultant in the ED can positively impact the implementation of pressure injury prevention evidence based bundles
3:05 - 7:10 PM Exhibit Hall Open - Grand Hall
3:05 - 3:25 PM Coffee Break - Grand Hall
3:25 - 4:10 PM Track 1 Acute Care Based PI Prevention Teams Panel
(.75 CE)

Dallas Ballroom BC		 Ann Marie Nie, PhD MSN FNP-BC CWOCN WOCNF;
Virginia Capasso, PhD CNP CNS CWS FACCWS FAAN;
Tanya Martel, DNP FNP-BC CWOCN;
Kathleen Vollman, MSN RN CCNS FCCM FCNS FAAN
Moderator: Michele Deppisch, PT CWS FACCWS 		1. The attendee will be able to analyze information presented on how to set up a pressure injury prevention team in the acute care setting
3:25 - 4:10 PM Track 2 NPIAP Research Committee's PI Priorities
(.75 CE)

Room A1-3		 Laura Edsberg, PhD;
Kath Bogie, D.Phil. FAIMBE;
Vignesh Iyer, MS MSc BSc ACRP;
Patricia Dykes, PhD;
Shannon Sapp-Layton, DNP RN LICSW-S NEA-BC CNL CWCN CNE
Moderator: Laura Edsberg, PhD		 1. Understand NPIAP's Prioritized Research Agenda:
Identify the key components and rationale behind the NPIAP's prioritized pressure injury (PI) research agenda, as informed by academic, clinical, and industry experts
2. Engage in Collaborative Decision-Making:
Participate in interactive discussions and a group voting process to refine and validate the PI research priorities, ensuring alignment with current clinical and research needs
3. Apply the Refined Research Priorities:
Explore strategies for disseminating the validated research priority list to stakeholders and discuss its potential to guide and influence future PI research initiatives
4:15 - 5:00 PM General Session Awards Ceremony

Dallas Ballroom BC		 NPIAP Awards: Joyce Black, PhD RN FAAN & Dave Brienza, PhD, NPIAP President
5:00 - 7:10 PM General Session Reception with Exhibitors & Poster Viewing - Sponsored by Molnlycke - Grand Hall
Friday, February 28th
6:30 AM - 1:00 PM Registration - Grand Hall
8:00 - 8:15 AM Welcoming Announcements

Dallas Ballroom BC 		Ann Marie Nie, Conference Planning Committee Chair;
Dave Brienza, NPIAP President		  
8:15 - 9:00 AM Keynote Address: Integrating Artificial Intelligence and New Technologies in Pressure Injury Prevention
(.75 CE)

Dallas Ballroom BC		 Joshua Morris, PhD;
Tod Brindle, PhD MSN RN ET CWOCN;
Ziplitics;
Moderator: Dave Brienza, PhD, NPIAP President		 1. Identify 5 current artificial intelligence (AI) methodologies applicable to pressure injuries
2. Define 3 concepts for responsible, regulated AI for clinical practice and research: explainability, interpretability, and AI predictions
9:30 AM - 2:45 PM Exhibit Hall Open - Grand Hall
9:05 - 9:50 AM Track 1 Using AI to Inform Next-Generation Pressure Injury Prevention Clinical Decision Support
(.75 CE)

Dallas Ballroom BC		 Patty Dykes, PhD
Moderator: Kath Bogie, D.Phil. FAIMBE		 1. Identify Challenges in Data Accessibility for Pressure Injury Information
2. Explore Innovations in EHR-Based Phenotyping Pipelines
3. Understand Pressure Injury Staging Transition Dynamics
9:05 - 9:50 AM Track 2 Nutrition & PI Prevention in the Older Adult Population
(.75 CE)

Room A1-3		 Anna de Jesus, MBA RDN;
Scott Bolhack, MD MBA CMD CWSP PCWC FACP
Moderator: Sam Nwafor, MD FACP FAPWCA		 1. Discuss the new 2025 International PI Guidelines' "Nutrition in Pressure Injury Prevention" as it relates to the older adult
2.Identify interdisciplinary strategies to promote nutrition across the transition of care
9:50 - 10:15 AM Coffee Break - Grand Hall
10:15 - 11:00 AM Track 1 Integrating the 2025 Guidelines for the OR: Do We Need to Move the Patient?
(.75 CE)

Dallas Ballroom BC		 Virginia Capasso, PhD CNP CNS CWS FACCWS FAAN
Moderator: Kathleen Vollman, MSN RN CCNS FCCM FCNS FAAN		 1. Identify evidence-based interventions related to repositioning and other mitigating strategies to prevent pressure injuries in the perioperative patient as delineated in the 2025 NPIAP/EPUAP/PPPIA Clinical Practice Guidelines and AORN’s 2023 Guidelines for Perioperative Practice
10:15 - 11:00 AM Track 2 Integrating the 2025 Guidelines Into Practice for Spinal Cord Injured Patients
(.75 CE)

Room A1-3		 Yi-Ting Tzen, PhD PT;
Kath Bogie, D.Phil. FAIMBE
Moderator: Anna de Jesus, MBA RDN		 1. Understand the clinical profile of spinal cord injury and the changing demographics of this population
2. Understand the systemic impact of traumatic SCI
3. Describe extrinsic risk factors impacting tissue breakdown over time
4. Describe how Intrinsic risk factors impact tissue resilience over time
11:05 - 11:50 AM Track 1 Original Research on OR Surfaces
(.75 CE)

Dallas Ballroom BC		 Dave Brienza, PhD, NPIAP President
Moderator: Yi-Ting Tzen, PhD PT		 1. Describe risk factors for pressure injuries for LVAD surgery patients
2. Explain how pressure, body mass index, and age contribute to pressure injury risk during surgery
3. Discuss research methods for comparing operating table pad performance
11:05 - 11:50 AM Track 2 Integrating the 2025 Guidelines Into Practice for Patients with Pediatric Patients
(.75 CE)

Room A1-3		 Ann Marie Nie, PhD MSN FNP-BC CWOCN WOCNF
Moderator: Virginia Capasso, PhD CNP CNS CWS FACCWS FAAN		 1. The attendee will recognize new PI prevention measures for the pediatric population
11:55 AM- 12:45 PM Track 1 Research Oral Presentation
(.75 CE)

Dallas Ballroom BC		 Laura Edsberg, PhD;
Kath Bogie, D.Phil. FAIMBE introducing
Moderators: Laura Edsberg, PhD;
Kath Bogie, D.Phil. FAIMBE		 1. The learner will gain an understanding of the award categories
2. The learner will be able to describe the results of the work being presented
11:55 AM - 12:45 PM Track 2 Integrating the 2025 Guidelines Into Practice for Patients with Dark Skin Tones
(.75 CE)

Room A1-3		 Eleonor Pusey-Reid, DNP RN MS Med;
Lisa Rodzen, DNP RN MBA NEA-BC
Moderator: Patricia Dykes, PhD		 1. Identify new recommendations for assessing, preventing, and treating pressure injuries in individuals with dark skin tones
2. Apply evidence-based skin assessment techniques and emerging technologies to enhance early identification of pressure injuries in dark skin tones
3. Integrate new prevention protocols, standardized assessment tools, and targeted treatment approaches to improve patient outcomes
12:45 - 2:45 PM Lunch with Exhibitors & Poster Viewing - Grand Hall
2:45 - 3:30 PM Track 1 Moving the Critically Ill Patient
(.75 CE)

Dallas Ballroom BC		 Kathleen Vollman, MSN RN CCNS FCCM FCNS FAAN;
Stephanie Woelfel, PT DPT CWS
Moderator: Virginia Capasso, PhD CNP CNS CWS FACCWS FAAN		 2025 Guidelines: Aspects of Repositiong and Microturns in the critical care unit
1.Understanding physiology of movement in critically ill patients and strategies to overcome hemodynamic instability
2.Identifies activity titration to move from turn and reposition to ambulation while ensuring prevention of skin injury
2:45 - 3:30 PM Track 2 Emerging Leaders Presentation
(.75 CE)

Room A1-3		 Yi-Ting Zhen, PhD PT & Kath Bogie, D.Phil. FAIMBe;
Along with Emerging Leaders:
Lisa Rodzen, DNP RN MBA NEA-BC;
Shannon Sapp-Layton, DNP RN LICSW-S NEA-BC CNL CWCN CNE;
Sharon Gabison, PhD MSc BScPT BSc IIWCC
Moderator: Ann Marie Nie, PhD MSN FNP-BC CWOCN WOCNF		 1. Describe the goals and objectives of the NPIAP Emerging Leader program
2. Identify key steps in educating the bedside nurse on the importance of early detection and prevention of HAPIs in patients with darker skin tones
3. Describe characteristics and factors associated with cutaneous manifestations of COVID-19 encountered across acute inpatient, and critical care units
4. Describe innovative pressure injury educational curriculum and resources developed for healthcare professional students and individuals affected by pressure injuries
3:35 - 4:20 PM General Session The Role of Adipocytes in Wound Healing and Deep Tissue Pressure Injury (DTPI)
(.75 CE)

Dallas Ballroom BC		 Laura Edsberg, PhD
Moderator: Stephanie Woelfel, PT DPT CWS		 1. Identify 2 types of adipose tissue
2. Describe the role of DWAT in wound healing
4:20 - 4:40 PM Coffee Break - Grand Hall
4:40 - 5:25 PM General Session Reviewing the Evidence on Acute Skin Failure
(.75 CE)

Dallas Ballroom BC		 Joyce Black, PhD RN FAAN
Moderator: Kathleen Vollman, MSN RN CCNS FCCM FCNS FAAN		 1. Describe the history of the term "acute skin failure"
2. Relate the discussion of the term "acute skin failure" by the 2024 think tank
3. Discriminate acute skin failure from pressure injury using recent research findings
5:25 - 5:35 PM Closing Announcements

Dallas Ballroom BC		 Dave Brienza, PhD, NPIAP President & Michele Deppisch, PT CWS FACCWS