Smith & Nephew Introduces Pressure Ulcer Management Program

To help facilities manage the risk and high cost of pressure ulcers and infected wounds, Smith & Nephew, Largo, FL, has developed an approach called BRIDGES. The program is designed to improve assessment of high-risk patients, standardize practice protocols, develop customized core formularies, drive proper product selection and utilization, improve protocol compliance, and track sustainable, repeatable results.

As of October 2008, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will no longer reimburse hospitals for the treatment of 8 hospital-acquired conditions, including pressure ulcers and various types of infection. This action makes implementing a pressure ulcer prevention program especially important at many facilities where nonwound care experts are managing the prevention and treatment of wounds. This can lead to significant variations in treatment, product use, and outcomes.

The BRIDGES program was implemented at the University Medical Center in Lubbock, TX, to reduce the incidence of pressure ulcers. After 1 year, the hospital-wide (excluding the intensive care unit) incidence of pressure ulcers was reduced from 15% to 0%. Wound care product costs were reduced by $63,713. The number of days requiring negative pressure wound therapy was also reduced, resulting in a savings of $17,068. The company’s goal through this program is to help customers reduce risk, improve utilization, and maximize clinical and economic outcomes.