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Information/Education Rep
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Nosocomial Pressure Ulcer Reduction and Operational Cost Savings is Achieved with Implementation of a House-Wide Pressure Redistribution Mattress First Author: Tom Hobbs RN, BSN, CWOCN Authors: Catherine VanGilder BS, MT, CCRA Most nosocomial pressure ulcers (NPU's) are viewed as preventable adverse events. 2005 NPU rates in US acute care facilities is reported 9.5% overall, and 7.1% in telemetry units, 7.1% in Med/Surg units, 7.1% in oncology units, 6.5% in Orthopedic units, and 5.9% in rehabilitation units (VanGilder 2005). In an effort to further reduce the current overall rate of 5.2% NPU's Durham Regional Hospital (DRH) made a decision to purchase a pressure redistribution air surface, the VersaCareª Bed System (Hill-Rom, Batesville, IN), for all 6 units outside of the ICU's...Telemetry, Surgery, Oncology, Orthopedics, Medicine and Rehabilitation units received the new beds. These units had monthly NPU prevalence (N=13 months) averaging 6.8%, 6.5%, 5.6%, 3.8%, 6.1% and 2.3% respectively prior to placement of the new bed systems. Monthly averages (N=8 months) after placement were 1.2%, 2.2%, 5.2%, 1.5%, 2.2% and 2.5% respectively. ..Therapy bed rental days decreased from 298/month (cost of $14,155) to 40/month (cost of $1,900), which is an annual cost savings of $147,060...With no other changes in wound care protocols, the provision of pressure redistribution surfaces for patients upon admission is credited with reducing NPU prevalence from 5.2% to 2.5% and reducing therapy rental costs. |
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