Pressure Ulcers: The Moisture Factor Pressure ulcers develop when skin is under constant pressure, usually because of decreased mobility. This pressure leads to reduced blood flow, which can eventually cause cell death, skin breakdown and the development of an open wound.1 This process speeds up when already-delicate and compromised skin is exposed to moisture, including urine and feces. Once a pressure ulcer has developed, healing becomes much more difficult if the skin is not kept clean and dry.2 To help keep the skin of incontinent residents dry, the Joint Commission recommends that caregivers "use underpads made of materials that absorb moisture and present a quick-drying surface to the skin."3

The following six steps are also recommended for halting the development of pressure ulcers: Conduct pressure ulcer admission assessments for all residents Reassess risk for all residents daily Inspect skin daily Manage moisture Optimize nutrition and hydration Minimize pressure Reference Zeller JL, Lynm C, Glass RM. Pressure ulcers. JAMA. 2006;296(8):1020. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. State Operations Manual. Appendix PP – Guidance to Surveyors for Long Term Care Facilities. Rev. 01-07-11. Duncan KD. Preventing pressure ulcers: The goal is zero. The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety. 2007 Oct; 33(10):605-610.

Easter Closure Reminder Our office will be closed on Friday, April 6 in honor of Good Friday/Easter. Orders that were placed after noon on April 2 will be delivered to you next week. If you have any questions at all, we invite you to contact our Customer Care team at 800.648.5190.

Our Safe Lifting Webinar is Next Week! Don't forget to sign up for "Creating Safer Environments for Healthcare," an exclusive webinar presented by Professional Medical and Joerns. This presentation was designed to help attendees develop, structure and implement safe lifting programs at their own facilities. The free webinar will be held on Thursday, April 12 from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. CST. To register, click on the link to the left.

Join Us for a Free Tour of the Perfect Survey! On Thursday, April 19, we'll be hosting our monthly online tour of Compliance Solutions: For the Perfect Survey Every Day. We'd love for you to join us! During this complimentary webinar, our Vice President of Clinical and Regulatory Compliance, Pam West, will guide you through the contents of our exclusive online survey preparation tool, including: The actual forms that surveyors use Guidance broken down by F tag and care area Exclusive tips from industry veterans Case studies to address how you would handle specific challenges in your own facility The webinar will be held from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. CST. To register, click on the link to the left.

Embrace™ SupAirsorbs were designed to minimize delicate skin's exposure to moisture from incontinence, perspiration and wound drainage. SupAirsorbs feature special absorbent dot-core fibers that enable even and controlled disbursement of body fluids. They also allow skin to breathe and heat to escape for improved comfort and healing. Additional Features: The need for multiple underpads is eliminated because SupAirsorbs underpads are absorbent enough to protect both the resident and the bedding Fluids are absorbed and locked away by the super absorbent polymers, which are blended evenly with fiber for extra absorbency Odors are absorbed for increased dignity The soft, non-woven top is gentle against fragile skin Heat retention is reduced, helping to keep skin cool, dry and comfortable

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