Reducing Decubitus Ulcers In Hospitals. How One Facility Managed To Reduce Hospital-Acquired Wounds By 63%
Texas Arlington Memorial Hospital was recently recognized for implementing a systematic program to reduce the number of patients with hospital-acquired decubitus ulcers. The program resulted in a 63% reduction in pressure sores. This hospital accomplished this by taking the following steps:
- Identifying decubitus ulcers on all new admissions
- Reducing use of diapers amongst patients
- Encouraging all staff to look for and document decubitus ulcers, even in their earliest stages
- Paying extra attention to patients who are bed bound or who's skin comes into contact with medical equipment like oxygen masks or tubing
- Implementing daily skin checks and intensive, hospital-wide skin checks on a quarterly basis to help the facility keep accurate tabs on how well its wound prevention program is working
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