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. 2010 Nov-Dec;32(6):44-51.
doi: 10.1111/j.1945-1474.2010.00076.x.

Development and implementation of a hospital-acquired pressure ulcer incidence tracking system and algorithm

Sunniva Zaratkiewicz  1 , Joanne D Whitney, Jeanne R Lowe, Shirley Taylor, Fran O'Donnell, Paula Minton-Foltz
Affiliations

Development and implementation of a hospital-acquired pressure ulcer incidence tracking system and algorithm

Sunniva Zaratkiewicz et al. J Healthc Qual. 2010 Nov-Dec.

Abstract

Hospital-acquired pressure ulcers (HAPUs) are a national concern due to patient morbidity, treatment cost, and reimbursement issues. Stages III and IV pressure ulcers (PUs) that occur during hospitalization are among the conditions considered preventable by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Harborview Medical Center (HMC), located in Seattle, WA, is a Level 1 trauma/burn center and safety net hospital serving diverse populations. HMC is committed to providing excellence in care including optimal skin care and PU prevention to people from all walks of life. At HMC a new system for monitoring daily PU incidence, completing monthly multidisciplinary intensive reviews on HAPUs, and application of an algorithm used to determine if HAPUs were avoidable was developed and implemented. This system has assisted HMC in addressing PU tracking, prevention, compliance with regulatory mandates and has improved skin-related outcomes.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Sample of Daily Pressure Ulcer Report Used to Identify Patients. Data Are Representative of a Typical Daily Report
Figure 2
Figure 2
Algorithm of Modifiable and Non-Modifiable Risk Factors for Pressure Ulcer Incidence
Figure 3
Figure 3
HAPU Rate Per 1,000 Patient-Days and Per 100 Admissions November 2007–March 2009
Figure 4
Figure 4
Risk Factors for Pressure Ulcers: Overall Review
Figure 5
Figure 5
HAPU Stages at Discovery Per Month November 2007–March 2009
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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