In October 2025, the Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara (KP SCL) cardiovascular and medical intensive care units (CVICU and ICU) reached a major milestone with the delivery and installation of the Wellsense Vu pressure mapping overlay device— marking the successful outcome of a multi-year, collaborative effort to reduce hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPI). 

HAPI has long been a challenge in critical care, where patients are especially vulnerable due to immobility and complex conditions. While previous interventions offered moderate success, sustaining improvements proved difficult. Recognizing the need for a more effective solution, Wound Care Nurse Monica Chen, BSN, RN, CWOCN, CFCN, and Director of Nursing Professional Development Katherine Ricossa, PhD, MS, RN, PHN, led the initiative with exceptional dedication and vision. 

Their leadership, in collaboration with support from clinical nurses, nursing directors, IT consultants, supply chain analysts, and educators, helped navigate a rigorous approval process involving the Local Product Council, Technology Risk Office, and KP SCL’s Technology Steering Committee. A successful product trial in 2023 demonstrated the device’s ability to provide real-time feedback on patient positioning, enabling staff to proactively reduce pressure points and enhance turning techniques. 

The October 2025 deployment of the Wellsense Vu device now empowers ICU teams with actionable data to prevent pressure injuries more effectively. This achievement exemplifies the power of collaboration, innovation, and shared commitment to advancing patient care — and sets a strong foundation for continued success in pressure injury prevention.