Hospitals Could Improve Outcomes for Patients and Save Millions According to Hill-Rom 10th Annual Pressure Ul...(reimbursement requires hospital leaders ...),Health

"Healthcare providers across the country are doing an outstanding job to improve outcomes for patients and, as evidenced by this data, are working diligently to keep pressure ulcer incidence levels from increasing," said Melissa Fitzpatrick, RN, MSN, FAAN, vice president and chief clinical officer for Hill-Rom. "We know and understand the challenges that caregivers face in reducing that number. What we've seen is that when health care teams adopt an integrated program to focus on safe skin, they achieve results. At Hill-Rom, we've aligned our people, processes and technology around a focused effort to partner with healthcare providers to help them reduce the incidence of pressure ulcers and other preventable adverse events."

The 2007 Hill-Rom IPUPS data results were delivered through a survey of 653 healthcare facilities and included more than 82,000 patients, representing an estimated 10 percent of all U.S. acute care hospitals. The IPUPS study results are widely regarded by hospital leaders as being nationally representative of trends in healthcare facilities. The data used to compile the IPUPS report is also commonly submitted by organizations to databases, such as the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators (NDNQI(R)), as a key quality indicator when seeking and maintaining nursing magnet status. The study has been conducted for 10 years since 1991 and annually since 2003. Survey information is submitted by hospital teams into a data base administered by Hill-Rom representatives. Individual facility data is then shared with each participating hospital, and also is aggregated to provide an industry-wide assessment.

"The IPUPS results have served as a recognized benchmark for hospitals nationwide," said Fitzpatrick, "Now, more than ever, this data can help hospital leadership t
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