Health Leaders To Double Wisconsin Pressure Ulcer Care Specialists

The following organizations announced a collaborative effort to certify 200 Wisconsin registered nurses who work in long-term care as certified pressure ulcer specialists:

* Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services

* Wisconsin Health Care Association

* Wisconsin Association of Homes and Services for the Aging

* Wisconsin Directors of Nursing Council

* National Alliance of Wound Care

* Wound Care Education Institute

* West Bend Mutual Insurance

* GuideOne Insurance

* Golden Living

* MetaStar

* Kindred Health Care Foundation

"Pressure ulcers are preventable afflictions, and we as leaders in health and long term care must do all we can to reduce their occurrence," said Department of Health and Family Services Secretary Karen Timberlake.

"Wisconsin is already one of the top states in the nation in successful treatment outcomes," said Tom Moore, Executive Director of WHCA. "But this program is going to take our state from good to great in preventing and treating pressure ulcers."

"This collaborative effort will enable Wisconsin's nursing facilities to become even more proficient in the care and treatment of elderly residents with complex skin conditions," stated WAHSA Executive Director John Sauer. "It also will provide measurable preventative health benefits to our residents by further increasing the clinical skills of our caregivers."

The National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel reports caring for a severe pressure ulcer can range from $38,000- $55,000. Increasing quality of care for nursing home residents statewide through pressure ulcer education and certification could save Wisconsin's health care system millions of dollars annually while continually working toward positive health outcomes.

The courses, provided by the Wound Care Education Institute, will more than double the number of pressure ulcer care certified nurses currently working in Wisconsin. This increase aims to further prevent and better treat the occurrence of pressure ulcers in nursing home residents.

This initiative marks Wisconsin as having the one of the most aggressive and comprehensive approach to pressure ulcer prevention and treatment in the nation. Wisconsin already is a national leader, well below the national average and regional target numbers for pressure ulcer prominence. In Wisconsin, the average has held steady for a number of years. However, this initiative to lower the occurrence of pressure ulcers in the state will further solidify Wisconsin's role as an innovator in health care, committed to the well-being of its residents.

Week-long certification courses will be offered this fall for 200 Registered Nurses. Wisconsin long-term care facilities will have the opportunity to send RNs at the cost of $1,000. The remaining course costs - approximately $2,500 - is defrayed by the above-listed sponsors of the initiative.