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New Mexico's Health Quality Improvement Organization |
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Pressure Ulcers in HospitalsAccording to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), the number of hospital patients who developed pressure ulcers (also known as decubitus ulcers, pressure sores or bed sores) rose by 63 percent during the last 10 years. In addition, hospitalizations that involve patients with pressure ulcers—either developed before or after admission—increased by nearly 80 percent between 1993 and 2006. Hospital-acquired pressure ulcers have become a significant problem. They are receiving increased attention and are included in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) list of hospital-acquired conditions that since October 1, 2008, no longer result in additional payment for the hospital if not present on admission. The New Mexico Medical Review Association (NMMRA) partners with New Mexico's hospitals and their communities on the management of pressure ulcers as part of the National Patient Safety Initiative (NPSI). Specifically, NMMRA is working with those hospitals located in the same county as nursing homes that met criteria for becoming a NMMRA pressure ulcer project participant. NPSI projects are part of NMMRA’s New Mexico Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) Ninth Scope of Work contract CMS. Learn more about NMMRA’s work on pressure ulcers in nursing homes. Access a variety of pressure ulcer resources, many of which are suitable for hospital use.
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