What can hospitals do to reduce the rate of bed sores in their facilities?

In order for hospitals to reduce the rate of bed sores (also commonly referred to as: pressure ulcers, pressure sores or decubitus ulcers), the facility first must acknowledge that bed sores acquired in a hospital setting are a real problem.

Hospital administrators should take note of the program implemented by Texas Arlington Memorial Hospital to reduce hospital-acquired bed sores.  The program implemented by Texas Arlington resulted in a 63% reduction in pressure sores.  This hospital accomplished this by taking the following steps:

• Identifying decubitus ulcers on all new admissions
• Reducing use of diapers amongst patients
• Encouraging all staff to look for and document decubitus ulcers, even in their earliest stages
• Paying extra attention to patients who are bed bound or who’s skin comes into contact with medical equipment like oxygen masks or tubing
• Implementing daily skin checks and intensive, hospital-wide skin checks on a quarterly basis to help the facility keep accurate tabs on how well its wound prevention program is working
• Empowering all staff to bring the early signs of bed sores to the attention of physicians and supervisors

Reduction of Hospital-acquired Pressure Ulcers at Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital