Experts to Discuss Hospital-Acquired Pressure Ulcer Prevention
Educational webinar to review CMS regulations regarding hospital-acquired pressure ulcers as well as key evidence-based practices and protocols for improved outcomes in heel protection.
Arcadia, CA (PRWEB) September 3, 2009
The Posey Company, a leader in the design and manufacture of innovative and reliable patient safety solutions, today announced the September 3, 2009 live event, The Heels are Alive: A Discussion of Practice Interventions for Preventing hPUs. The educational session, designed to help reduce in-hospital ulcer occurrence, also coincides with the advent of new clinical outcome data concerning skin breaks and ulcer prevention.
Heel-pressure ulcers (hPUs) are a still-too-common cause of patient infection. Often, hPUs can lead to acute and/or chronic difficulties, and, therefore, demand an unusual level of facility resources and regulatory scrutiny. Targeted hPU reduction and prevention policies enable both improved patient care and reduced hospital risk. Development of a system for proactively avoiding new occurrences is key.
The Heels are Alive is structured to help caregivers and administrators do just that--create an effective program for minimizing hPU and its consequences. Webinar attendees will consider the implications of hPUs in relation to the October 2008 revised Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) regulations and learn about the newest evidence-based heel hPU avoidance practices, including the importance of initial skin assessments using the Braden Scale as well as workable prevention protocols such as FLOAT.
Leading the webinar--with a presentation on the topic, "hPU Preventative Interventions"--will be Evonne Fowler, RN, CNS, CWON. A graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Nursing, Ms. Fowler is a Clinical Specialist in Gerontology and a Certified Wound/Ostomy Nurse. She is the CWON Specialist at San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital in Banning, California, and, prior, was Co-Director of the Wound Care Center at Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Bellflower, California. She is a founding board member and first president of the Association for the Advancement of Wound Care (AAWC) and co-chairperson for the Annual Symposium of Advanced Wound Care (SAWC). She is a Member Emeritus for the journal, Ostomy/Wound Management.
Regarding the event Ms. Fowler said, "There continues to be an inordinate occurrence rate of hospital-acquired pressure ulcers in acute-care facilities today. Based on the human and other implications, we cannot let up on pursuit of more effective solutions. Gratefully, we have a growing amount of clinical data available to guide us in reduction and prevention methods. The September 3rd webinar is a great opportunity for anyone hoping to move in the direction of resolving the matter with evidence-based practices and up-to-date knowledge."
Ernie Posey, CEO and President of the Posey Company, a sponsor of the event, said, "Hospital-acquired pressure ulcers cause an inordinate amount of patient suffering, and cost the industry billions annually in resources and fines. The Posey Company continues to work hard to deliver a variety of innovative and cost-effective wound-care solutions. And, we are dedicated to the ulcer-reduction educational cause."
The Heels are Alive will begin at 11:00a Pacific, Thursday, September 3, 2009. A question and answer period will follow the opening lecture. Webinar attendance is free of charge. The session number is 927 343 803.
To attend online:
1. Go to https://welcome. webex. com/welcome/k2/j. php? ED=121581902&UID=1129294262&RT=MiM0 (https://welcome. webex. com/welcome/k2/j. php? ED=121581902&UID=1129294262&RT=MiM0)
2. Enter your name and email address.
3. The session does not require a password.
4. Click 'Join Now.'
5. Follow the instructions that appear on your screen.
To join by phone:
1. Call toll-free (in the US/Canada) at 866.469.3239.
2. When prompted for an access code, enter 927 343 803.
About Posey Company
Posey Company delivers innovative patient safety solutions--including products and in-service support for fall management, bed safety, wound prevention, wheelchair seating, and restraint--to hospitals, long-term care facilities, rehabilitation centers, and in-home care providers. Our offerings create care advantages for a wide variety of patients from pediatrics to adults, for brain injury, stroke, and even dementia patients. The company is headquartered in California and operates globally. Visit www. posey. com for more information.
Forward-Looking Statements
Except for statements of historical fact, the matters discussed herein are forward-looking, reflect numerous assumptions, and involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control and may cause actual results to differ materially from stated expectations. We undertake no obligation to release publicly any changes in events or circumstances arising after the date hereof.
Media Contact
Ellen Hassett
On behalf of the Posey Company
716.465.6230 (NY)
202.422.7886 (DC)
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