UIndy works with state to eliminate health issue
By Manny Casillas | Editorial Assistant
The University of Indianapolis Center for Aging and Community (CAC) is working with the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) to fight a common health concern facing patients known as pressure ulcers. The campaign is themed ‘We Will: Prevent Pressure Ulcers.’
Pressure ulcers develop when one person stays in one position too long without shifting any weight, and can occur within hours of being in a bed or wheelchair. The pressure diminishes blood supply to the area affected, thus killing tissue.
Pressure ulcers are preventable in most cases, but the number of cases is increasing, and they are now the most frequently cited problem from Indiana’s Medical Error Reporting System.
The National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel that 2.5 million patients are treated, and at least 4,400 case have been reported in nursing home residents in Indiana since 2007, and at least 600,00 die. The cost of treatment can cost anywhere around $11 billion a year.
“CAC was the ideal organization to facilitate this campaign because of our neutral position within the aging services community.” said Jennifer Bachman, senior projects director for CAC.
With the assistance of ISDH, the Indiana Pressure Ulcer Initiative is 18-month collaboration among various groups. The campaign aims to produce well-trained staff able to deal with this problem in hospitals and other care facilities.
“CAC is acting as a convener in this campaign, facilitating all the partner organizations across health care setting.” Bachman said. “The Department of Nursing is aware of the initiative and there will certainly be opportunities for students and faculty to be involved.”
They also hope that other groups and organizations can take up the cause in their affected area, which is an attainable goal thanks to the assistance of the National Institute of Health’s Breakthrough Series (BTS) Collaborative Model.
“The model is easily replicable for other health care issues and the intention is to build a strong collaborative partnership in the health care community and implement this model,” Bachman said.
Bachman and Amy M. Magan, communications manager for CAC, said they definitely see a bright future for this campaign, and look forward to more residents of Indiana becoming aware of the all too real problem of pressure ulcers. In summer 2009 a second phase of the campaign will begin.
“With the state and these partners involved, reducing the incidence of pressure ulcers is an attainable goal.” Bachman said.
The problem of pressure ulcers is only the first health issue that the partnership of CAC and ISDH is looking to combat.
“Based on the anticipated success of this campaign, CAC is committed to providing ISDH the leadership needed to facilitate future campaigns,” Magan said.
