Pressure Redistribution Modalities

    The use of specialty support surfaces has historically been viewed as a necessary part of hospital pressure ulcer prevention and treatment.  Dependence on this level of technology has diverted our attention from the benefits of good nursing care.  The need for good routine skin care and repositioning patients are too often neglected, as well as the multidisciplinary approach to pressure ulcer prevention.

    The purpose of this presentation is to demonstrate how we were able to decrease hospital acquired pressure ulcers and the cost of rental beds.  We achieved this by utilizing existing resources, redirecting focus on pressure ulcer prevention guidelines and a revision in policy related to rental beds.  Reduction in spend reflected in an eight month period exceeded sixty-six thousand dollars.  At the same time we realized a five percent reduction in hospital acquired pressure ulcers.

    Enlisting the support of staff was essential to the success of this project.  Education provided a change in mind set.  Staff now realize that prevention of pressure ulcers is a multi-focal endeavor and not solely reliant on a specialty support surface.