Survey shows nurses believe technology like the Leaf Patient Monitoring System could help reduce pressure ulcers, a top target of hospital quality improvement initiatives
| PLEASANTON, Calif., Oct. 31, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- A survey of nurse quality leaders conducted at the 2018 ANCC National Magnet® Conference in Denver found overwhelming support for technology like the Leaf Patient Monitoring System to help reduce pressure injuries. Nearly all respondents (98 percent) agreed that “a technology solution that helps guide nurses to turn patients with sufficient adequacy would help improve patient outcomes.” The survey also found that programs to reduce pressure ulcers/injuries are among the three most important quality initiatives at hospitals nationwide. Three of four (75 percent) respondents said pressure ulcers/injuries are top priorities at their institutions. Falls ranked first, identified by 80 percent of respondents. “The findings confirm that nurses, who are on the front line of patient care, recognize new technology can help to protect patients from pressure ulcers/injuries and improve their outcomes,” said Annemari Cooley, Leaf Healthcare vice president of Market Development. “The survey findings further recognize what repeated studies have proven: The Leaf System helps hospitals to dramatically reduce the number of pressure ulcers/injuries their patients experience. And this can save hospitals millions of dollars.” Ninety percent of survey respondents estimated that the “total cost of a hospital-acquired pressure ulcer” exceeds $100,000; 25 percent said the cost exceeds $250,000. Data from the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) suggests the cost of simply treating patients with serious pressure ulcers/injuries costs the average hospital $1.86 million in unreimbursed costs. The Magnet® Conference is the largest nursing meeting in America, designed to promote excellence in nursing and healthcare. About 10,000 nurses from across the nation participated in this year’s conference, held Oct. 24 to 26. Magnet® recognition from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) is the highest and most prestigious distinction a healthcare organization can receive for nursing excellence and high-quality patient care. The Leaf Patient Monitoring System has been used to track the mobility of more than 20,000 patients for more than 2 million hours and was recently shown in a large randomized trial to reduce the number of hospital-acquired pressure ulcers (HAPUs) by up to 74%. Studies have shown the Leaf System improves patient turning and mobility, reduces pressure injury rates, helps nurses prioritize patient care, improves unit workflow, and saves hospitals non-reimbursed costs associated with the treatment of pressure injuries. The Leaf System, the first FDA-cleared medical technology that continuously monitors patient activity and position to identify those who could benefit from repositioning, has been deployed in healthcare facilities since 2014. It tracks patient movement and activity in bed-bound, chair-bound, and ambulatory patients. AHRQ recently reported the number of pressure injuries has increased by 10 percent nationally and that they are the fastest-growing hospital-acquired condition. Serious pressure injuries affect 705,000 patients a year and add $10.2 billion to annual U.S. healthcare costs. About Leaf Healthcare, Inc. Leaf Healthcare is a medical technology company dedicated to preventing hospital-acquired pressure injuries/ulcers and other immobility-related complications, which are some of the most common and costly hospital-acquired conditions. Several studies have shown that the FDA-cleared Leaf Patient Monitoring System is a powerful tool that reduces hospital-acquired pressure injuries/ulcers, allows providers to prioritize care, and helps provide a safer environment for patients. The Leaf System is available through Leaf Healthcare and Smith & Nephew. To learn more, visit www.leafhealthcare.com. Media Contact: Mark Smith Jim Martinez
SOURCE Leaf Healthcare |
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