Hospitals in pursuit of excellence

Save Our Skin: Preventing Pressure Ulcers

The Problem

Nearly one million people develop pressure ulcers each year, and 60,000 U.S. hospital patients die annually from complications related to pressure ulcers. The treatment costs can be significant; treating a pressure ulcer can run $2,000 to $70,000 per wound. The national incidence of hospital-acquired pressure ulcers averages from seven to 10 percent. At 9.4 percent, SFMC found its rate unacceptable.

The Solution

SFMC developed a comprehensive program, called Save Our Skin, to reduce the incidence of pressure ulcers among patients. The key elements of the program incorporates evidence-based practices and includes upgrading mattresses, clarifying staff roles and protocols and improving measurement and communication of pressure ulcer performance data.