back. Our physician
provider friends
weren't sure every-
thing we were doing
was really necessary.
We needed to find
ways to get them on
board. There was also
a cost impact that we
had to bring through
the leadership. Time is
money, especially in
the OR, and quality preventative dressing is a little pricey. The one we
use costs between $6 and $7.
Fortunately, the WOC nurses were very good at providing us with
data, which was helpful, because physicians and administrators tend to
be very data-driven. We pointed to a pressure-injury case that cost the
hospital about $200,000, once you factored in surgical treatment,
extended length of stay and required care. That may be more expensive
than the typical case, but we were able to demonstrate that prevention
was much more cost-effective than treatment.
We've also developed a "skin champion" program led by 2 nurses who
follow up on every skin issue, work with all the units, and make sure the
WOC nurses evaluate whether any given potential injury gets better or
worse, so we can learn from the experience.
To me, the most important thing we've accomplished, and the thing
that will last, is that we've created a level of attention that wasn't
there before. Now, pressure injuries are on everybody's radar every
day, and not just with patients who are older or frail. We talk about it,
J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y. N E T • 5 9
• SAFE CUSHION Use foam dressing and gel pads to protect bony prominences.
Pamela
Bevelhymer,
RN,
BSN,
CNOR
