Pressure ulcers/injuries
Patients in the hospital are at risk of developing pressure ulcers/injuries when their skin is exposed to unrelieved pressure. Pressure ulcers/injuries continue to be the most reported adverse health event. According to the Agency
for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), each year more than 2.5 million
people in the U.S. develop pressure ulcers/injuries. The injuries to the skin
and underlying tissue are painful and increase risk for infection or other
complications.
Minnesota’s hospitals and health systems are working
to eliminate serious pressure ulcers/injuries for patients. In 2017, experts
from across the state came together to streamline MHA pressure ulcer/injury resources and created a tiered pressure ulcer/injury road map. This road map
contains best practice recommendations for interdisciplinary team involvement
and prevention in critical care and the operating room, as well as prevention
of medical device-related pressure ulcers/injuries.
MHA members can log in to the website at the top-right corner of this page to view the pressure ulcer/injury road map.