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Development of an evidence-based specialty support surface decision tool
Susan Wall1, Kathleen Hunter, Glenda Coleman-Miller
1Patient Care Administration, Royal Alexandra Hospital, Capital Health, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. swall@cha.ab.ca
Ostomy/Wound Management
|February 9, 2005
Summary
A revised decision tool for support surfaces in hospitals reduced costs by 26% without increasing pressure ulcer incidence. This highlights the need for better guidelines in selecting appropriate support surfaces for patient care.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare Management
- Clinical Engineering
- Patient Safety
Background:
- Support surface selection is complex due to technological advancements, an aging population, resource use concerns, and patient safety issues.
- A tertiary care hospital sought to improve its existing specialty support surface decision tool.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate and update a specialty support surface decision tool.
- To incorporate current literature, expert opinion, and pilot testing results into the tool.
Main Methods:
- The existing tool included Braden Score, mobility, and skin breakdown indicators.
- The revised tool incorporated risk category, patient weight, skin breakdown details, flap surgery, pulmonary complications, palliative care, positioning, and Braden score.
- Pilot testing and literature review informed the update.
Main Results:
- The incidence of nosocomial pressure ulcers did not significantly change during the trial period.
- Overall costs associated with support surface use decreased by 26%.
Conclusions:
- The revised decision tool effectively reduced costs for support surface use.
- Improved guidelines for support surface selection are necessary for optimal patient care and resource management.