Pressure Ulcers - Hospital

The National Patient Safety Initiative (NPSI), under the 9th Scope of Work, requires FMQAI, the Medicare Quality Improvement Organization to work with select hospitals on decreasing pressure ulcers for Medicare beneficiaries in the State of Florida.

Pressure ulcers are defined as any lesion caused by unrelieved pressure resulting in damage to the underlying tissue. Pressure ulcers have been identified across all healthcare settings and are a significant source of pain and human suffering. The elderly are at greatest risk for developing pressure ulcers because of skin related changes due to aging as well as other underlying medical issues such as diabetes, poor circulation and decreased mobility.

Pressure ulcers are a high-cost, high volume condition in the hospital setting. FMQAI will assist select hospitals by identifying gaps in delivery systems through established quality improvement methodologies in order to decrease pressure ulcers in this vulnerable population.