ST. PAUL, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regions Hospital reported a 30 percent drop in pressure ulcers since it started an aggressive new program a year ago to improve patient comfort, improve care and reduce costs. Patients who develop pressure ulcers, more commonly called bedsores, can have an increased length of stay in the hospital. By some estimates, a serious pressure ulcer can costs hospitals an additional $30,000 per patient.
At Regions, a multi-disciplinary team started the pressure ulcer prevention program by looking into every possible case in which a patient may be at risk for getting a pressure ulcer. For instance, they looked at improvements in patient nutrition. The operating rooms incorporated new, gel-based padding on the operating tables, and the team is conducting research to determine if prophylactic dressings placed on certain pressure points would help in prevention.
On intensive care units, pressure ulcer interventions include checking patients’ skin under every device and repositioning patients on a frequent basis. Even a simple sign of skin redness can develop into a painful pressure ulcer for critically ill patients, so if the patient care team sees any danger signs, they call in a wound care nurse before it can get worse.
In the surgical intensive care unit (SICU), where patients are at high risk of developing pressure ulcers, there was just one reportable pressure ulcer since the program was implemented. The work helped earn the SICU a Minnesota Hospital Association Save Our Skin award.
Regions’ innovative approach was also highlighted in the Adverse Health Events Report published last week by the Minnesota Department of Health. According to the report, the number of pressure ulcers reported by all Minnesota hospitals increased by 19 percent over the last reporting period. Meanwhile, Regions’ reportable pressure ulcers decreased by 30 percent.
About Regions Hospital
Regions Hospital is a Level I Trauma Center and teaching hospital serving Minnesota and western Wisconsin for more than 130 years. Regions is a private, non-profit hospital providing outstanding care in women’s health, heart, cancer, surgery, orthopaedics, neuroscience, burn, emergency care and more. Regions is part of the HealthPartners family of care. Additional information is available at regionshospital.com.
CONTACT:
Regions Hospital
Kelli Trask, 651-254-4725
Media pager: 651-629-0411
[email protected]
KEYWORDS: United States North America Minnesota
INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Health Hospitals Nursing General Health Managed Care
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