Pressure Injury

The Problem of Pressure Injuries

It is far, far more advantageous to the patient, nurse, physician, and health care organization to prevent rather than treat hospital-acquired pressure injuries. Treating pressure injuries involves reducing pressure on the affected skin, caring for wounds, controlling pain, treating infection, and maintaining good nutrition, all of which is resource-intensive in time, money, and effort, not to mention the multiple untoward effects suffered by the patient.

A Few Sobering Statistics

Number of people affected:

2.5 million individuals per year. Older adults and people who live in nursing homes are especially vulnerable.

Death:

About 60,000 individuals die as a direct result of pressure injuries each year.

Cost:

Pressure injuries cost $9.1 billion to $11.9 billion per year in the United States. The cost of individual patient care ranges from $20,900 to $151,700 per pressure injury.

Lifestyle:

Pressure injuries may be associated with severe pain, as well as reduced independence, embarrassment, increased hospital stay, and a decreased quality of life.

HAP’s HIIN is dedicated to working with Pennsylvania hospitals to decrease the incidence of hospital-acquired pressure injuries. Through the use of evidence-based protocols, targeted education, and the development of individual action plans for rapid improvement, hospitals have the opportunity to participate in this time-tested collaborative program. On-site visits conducted by advance practice wound care nurses and an expert faculty advisory panel provide a wide range of expertise in current wound care practices and pressure injury avoidance.

HAP Contacts

For further information on the HAP HIIN Pressure Injury Prevention Project, please contact project manager, Janette Bisbee. Fore media inquiries, contact Rachel Moore, director, media relations.

HAP News

April 16, 2021

Wolf Administration Urges Everyone to Get Vaccinated, Thanks Hospital Community during COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Tour

Wolf Administration officials today visited Penn State Health’s vaccination clinic in Dauphin County to remind all Pennsylvanians to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

April 16, 2021

National Healthcare Decisions Day Reminds Everyone to Create Advance Care Directives

On National Healthcare Decisions Day, HAP and Pennsylvania hospitals encourage everyone to create advance care directives and take the time to talk with their loved ones about their wishes.

April 15, 2021

DOH Extends Pause on Johnson & Johnson Vaccine

The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) announced it is extending the pause in the administration of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine until April 24 or until it receives an updated recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Featured Resource

Pressure Injury Prevention Project

HAP HIIN Website: A Source of Helpful Information

Be sure to regularly visit the HAP HIIN collaborative website for updates about project-specific and HIIN-wide educational events, newsletters, toolkits, resources, and a multitude of best practice safety information for all HIIN focus groups. New items are continually added, so be sure to visit often to enhance your patient quality of care efforts.