Redwood Area Hospital

RAH Patient Safety Safe Skin Safe from Falls Safe Site

Safe Skin Initiative Redwood Area Hospital joined the Minnesota Hospital Association SAFE SKIN Initiative when it began in February 2007. It is structured around the SAFE SKIN Roadmap to a Comprehensive Pressure Ulcer Prevention Program. The road map is a collection of recommended, evidence-based interventions based on the work of the Veterans Integrated Service Network 8 Patient Safety Center and on learning gleaned from the Minnesota Adverse Health Event registry. As part of the initiative, Redwood Area Hospital committed to: • Implementing the roadmap. • Completing quarterly updates and data submission quantifying   adherence to the roadmap. • Sharing learning with others through conference calls, listserv and other sharing opportunities. Key Points of Progress • All hospitals in the SAFE SKIN initiative, including Redwood Area Hospital, submitted baseline data. Baseline data showed that Redwood had in place 56% of the roadmap. • Regular turning and skin evaluations were implemented. Upon admission, the Redwood Area Hospital admitting nurse performs a thorough skin assessment. Each shift, the patient’s RN uses a check-off sheet to monitor and document skin changes. The check-off sheet also includes immediate bedside interventions that are implemented if skin status has changed. Every 24 hours, RNs use the Braden scale to assess the skin. Nurses are encouraged to use a camera to help document progression of any skin changes and to check skin more often when opportunities are available, such as during toileting or turning. • In late summer of 2007, all hospitals submitted new data to determine implementation progress. The new data showed that Redwood Area Hospital had in place 97% of the roadmap. As of October 31, 2007, no reportable pressure ulcers had occurred at Redwood Area Hospital in 2007.  • In November of 2007, the Redwood Area Hospital, along with two other Minnesota hospitals, was recognized by the Minnesota Hospital Association for the implementation of our SAFE SKIN program.

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100 Fallwood Road ~ Redwood Falls, MN 56283
507-637-4500