Pressure Ulcer Prevention Program Study: a randomized, controlled prospective comparative value evaluation of 2 pressure ulcer prevention strategies in nursing and rehabilitation centers.

Objective: This article assesses the comparative prevention-effectiveness and economic implications of a Pressure Ulcer Prevention Program (PUPP) against standard practice of prevention using Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (now the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality [AHRQ]) guidelines and a mixture of commercial products.

Design: The study is a randomized, controlled, prospective cohort study with an accompanying economic evaluation. The economic evaluation is performed from the perspective of the nursing and rehabilitation centers.

An evaluation of costs and effects of a nutrient-based skin care program as a component of prevention of skin tears in an extended convalescent center.

Purpose: A decision model was developed in a pilot study comparing a regimen using a skin care product line containing active ingredients and nutrients with a commercially available alternative skin care regimen in an elderly convalescent care hospital-based center.

Methods: Using a decision-tree model, skin treatment with a nutrient-based skin care (NBSC) formulation was compared with products without nutrients. The number of skin-tear-free days was the primary outcome measure.

Reducing hospital-acquired pressure ulcers with a silicone-based dermal nourishing emollient-associated skincare regimen.

Objective: To determine the effect of a silicone-based dermal nourishing emollient (SBDNE) regimen on the reduction of pressure ulcers (PrUs) and costs in a hospital medical unit.

Rationale: PrUs represent a serious problem for patients within the acute care setting and are a significant care management challenge for clinicians. Effective October 1, 2008, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will no longer reimburse hospitals at the higher diagnosis-related group rate for Stages III and IV PrUs that are not documented on admission.

Effect of a water-based no-sting, protective barrier formulation and a solvent-containing similar formulation on skin protection from medical adhesive trauma.

Trauma to the skin from repeated removal of adhesive-based medical products can cause pain, anxiety, risk of secondary infections and additional health care costs. Skin barrier formulations are used to protect the integrity from such trauma. However, not all formulations are equally protective.