The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) established the Hospital Value-Based Purchasing Program as a reimbursement model for acute care hospitals. The program was developed to create patient-centered care strategies and better outcomes for patients at lower costs, reduce risks in patient care while creating higher patient satisfaction rates, and developing better care efficiencies. Hospitals are measured against multiple metrics in four major areas: Clinical Outcomes, Person and Community Engagement, Safety, and Efficiency and Cost Reduction.[1]
EZ Way safe patient handling solutions will help you achieve higher ratings on three Patient Safety Indicators (PSI):
• PSI-03 - Pressure Ulcer Rate
• PSI-08 - In-Hospital Fall With Hip Fracture Rate
• PSI-12 - Perioperative Pulmonary Embolism (PE) or Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Rate
In Part III we will look at PSI-12 - Perioperative Pulmonary Embolism (PE) or Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Rate and Prevention.
PSI-12: PERIOPERATIVE PULMONARY EMBOLISM (PE) OR DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS RATE
This indicator measures the number of discharges who have developed a pulmonary embolism (PE) or deep vein thrombosis (DVT) during their hospital stay. It measures the occurrence of DVT and/or PE from the time the patient is admitted for treatment until the time the patient is discharged. DVT occurs when clots develop in the deep veins of a patient’s legs. These clots can break free and cause a pulmonary embolism; a sudden blockage in the lung artery caused when a blood clot breaks loose and travels to the lungs. Additional inpatient costs for Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) average $17,367 per incident.[9]
WE CAN HELP
Several preventive measures can be used to prevent deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.[10] Two of the preventative measures can be achieved with the help of EZ Way solutions.
Leg Elevation- Elevating the legs when possible and during the night also can be very effective. EZ Way limb lifting straps used in conjunction with EZ Way floor or ceiling lifts can help elevate legs.
Physical Activity - Moving as soon as possible after surgery can help with prevention of pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis and hasten recovery overall. This is one of the main reasons a nurse may push a patient to get up, even on the day of surgery, and walk despite pain at the site of his or her surgical incision. EZ Way sit-to-stands, platform walkers, the Rise-N-Go walker, and ceiling lift systems (used with a Gait Training Sling) will allow patients to safely ambulate and reduce the risks of falls and caregiver injuries related to those falls. EZ Way solutions are integral parts of early and progressive mobility. Studies have shown that progressive mobility contributes to shorter length of stay (LOS). The study determines that hospitals could achieve a cost savings of up to 1.5 million dollars by reducing the LOS of each ICU patient by just one day.[11]
[1]https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Quality-Initiatives-Patient-Assessment- Instruments/HospitalQualityInits/Hospital-Value-Based-Purchasing-
[9] Estimating the additional Hospital Inpatient Cost and Mortality Associated With Selected Hospital-Acquired Conditions”, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, November 2017 . VTE is the combination of DVT & PE.
[10] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pulmonary-embolism/symptoms-causes/syc-20354647
[11] Gallagher, Susan; Harrington, Suzy; Kumpar, Dee; Wilson, Kent: Zock, Rick; "Advancing the Science and Technology of Progressive Mobility", Association of Safe Patient Handling Professionals & American Nursing Association