Maricopa Integrated Health System Reports 90 Percent Reduction in Press...( Using a Protocol of Care that Include...),Health

Using a Protocol of Care that Included Solutions(R) Algorithms from ConvaTec(1)

SKILLMAN, N.J., June 12 /PRNewswire/ -- A retrospective analysis conducted by clinicians at Maricopa Integrated Health System (MIHS) found that a protocol of care using a standardized algorithm with advanced products reduced the prevalence of pressure ulcers by 90 percent, according to data presented this week at the 41st Annual Conference of the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses (WOCN) Society.(1)

Under the recently established MIHS Center for Clinical Excellence, nursing officers selected Solutions(R) Algorithms, an evidence-based wound assessment, treatment and prevention guideline from ConvaTec, a world-leading provider of medical technologies for community and hospital care, as the foundation for increasing competency in skin and wound care.

Targeting pressure ulcer prevention has been a key goal across the system, especially following the inclusion of Stage 3 and 4 pressure ulcers acquired after admission to a healthcare facility on the list of "never events" by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

More than 1,100 MIHS nurses were trained on the use of the algorithms. MIHS also utilized the advanced products specified in the evidence-based protocol for pressure ulcer prevention: the Aloe Vesta(R) skin care system, DuoDERM(R) dressings and the Flexi-Seal(R) Fecal Management System (FMS). After the first year, a prevalence audit showed more than a 50 percent reduction in hospital-acquired pressure ulcers. By December 2008, following the full roll-out of the interactive algorithms, a second audit reported a 90 percent reduction.(1)

"With Solutions(R) Algorithms and the right products, we achieved our goal of significantly reducing the prevalence of pressure ulcers across our entire system, and improving patient care in line with quality of care standards," said Joann Bow
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