8 2 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • A U G U S T 2 0 1 7
In our ORs, we take
every measure to
maintain the integri-
ty of our patients'
skin — and for good
reason. Consider:
• Hospital-
acquired pressure
ulcers affect more
than 2.5 million peo-
ple per year, accord-
ing to the Agency for
Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).
• As many as 60,000 people per year die as a result of infections
stemming from pressure ulcers. They're among the most-com-
mon healthcare-related claims, second only to wrongful death.
• Pressure ulcers are expensive. AHRQ statistics put the cost to
the U.S. healthcare system at $9.1 billion to $11.6 billion per
year, with each injury adding a minimum of more than $20,000 to
a patient's cost of care.
• In addition to treatment-related costs, pressure injuries can
result in litigation and government penalties, plus they can nega-
tively affect performance metrics and reimbursements. CMS
views pressure injuries as "never events." CMS does not reim-
burse the cost of treatment for a patient who acquires a new
pressure injury.
— Diane B. Kimsey, MSN, MHA, CNOR, CMLSO
UNDER PRESSURE
The Heavy Burden Of Pressure Ulcers
• SORE SPOT Besides adding to the cost of care, pressure injuries can affect
reimbursements, hurt patient-satisfaction scores and spur litigation.
