Hospitals, long-term care providers, and home care agencies are challenged by the frequent occurrence of pressure ulcers, their complications, and the significant impact on the cost of health care. There is clear evidence that the incidence and severity of pressure ulcers can be reduced by an approach focused on general risk assessment, frequent skin assessment for at-risk patients, turning and repositioning, pressure reduction devices and techniques, nutrition, skin cleansing and moisturizing, and diligent wound care. The challenge for healthcare providers lies in integrating these proven best practices into systems of care that are consistently followed and communicated among one another.
The Pennsylvania Pressure Ulcer Partnership was a statewide collaborative identified through the efforts of various trade associations and other nursing home and hospital quality improvement organizations involved in programs such as the IHI 5 Million Lives Campaign and the Advancing Excellence in America’s Nursing Homes campaign. Experts across the care continuum were identified, including wound and skin care specialists and other healthcare providers to provide a comprehensive approach to the identification, prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers within the Commonwealth.
As a program launch, three regional education sessions were offered in October 2008 to the healthcare community, including both acute care and long-term care facilities and home health organizations. Attendees of these interactive day–long sessions heard about the latest evidence in pressure ulcer prevention and treatment from national experts, learned practical and effective prevention strategies, and planned next steps for their own organizations in reducing the incidence and severity of pressure ulcers. Attendees were encouraged to commit to ongoing Partnership activities, including a baseline and follow-up self-assessment survey, participation in state-wide educational conference calls, monthly data collection and submission, and participation in networking/coaching calls. Collaborative activities began in November 2008 and continued through 2010, concluding with two regional conferences in May 2010.
The Health Care Improvement Foundation, the Hospital & Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP), and the Hospital Council of Western PA are pleased to release the results of the Pennsylvania Pressure Ulcer Partnership and to recognize the hard work and achievements made during the collaborative by healthcare organizations across the state in reducing the rate of pressure ulcers, commonly known as bed sores. The Partnership was launched in 2008 as a way for Pennsylvania hospitals, nursing homes and home care agencies to work together in adopting proven pressure ulcer prevention strategies aimed at reducing the incidence and severity of pressure ulcers of patients. The Partnership concluded earlier this year after making significant improvements in practices and outcomes.
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Click here to access information on activities of the Pennsylvania Pressure Ulcer Partnership.