Hospitals in pursuit of excellence

Road Map to a Comprehensive Skin Safety Program

The Minnesota Hospital Association's SAFE SKIN program provides hospital leaders with resources of best clinical practices to prevent pressure ulcers, a road map of best practices and a tool kit to implement the road map recommendations. Currently, 93 hospitals are participating in SAFE SKIN, which means they have agreed to implement the best practices as outlined in the road map. The SAFE SKIN road map is based on the Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement Skin Safety Protocol, Adverse Health Event Learnings, and the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society’s Clinical Practice Guidelines.

Pressure ulcers are also one of the 10 areas of focus being addressed through the Partnership for Patients Hospital Engagement Network, a public-private partnership that aims to reduce pressure ulcers by 40 percent by 2013.