Littauer Receives High Marks for Pressure Ulcer Prevention

Facility-Wide Effort Yields Results

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Nursing home residents at Nathan Littauer.

GLOVERSVILLE, NY (07/01/2010)(readMedia)-- Nathan Littauer Nursing Home earned an award recently for its prevention of pressure ulcers. The facility earned the award from the New York State Department of Health. According to the award, "Nathan Littauer Hospital Nursing Home is recognized for excellence in preventing pressure ulcers in nursing home residents." The award continued, "Your facility was one of 24 nursing homes across the state to receive an award." The nursing home is ranked in the top 4% of the "Best Performer" category. As a result of the superior performance Nathan Littauer Nursing Home received an award of $42,645. The award is based on data the nursing home regularly submits to the Department of Health.

The program called "Pay for Performance Initiative" PHL 2808 (22) authorizes the payment of rate enhancements to nursing homes which meet or exceed defined quality measures. Pressure ulcer prevention is one of those measures.

"I can not stress enough how important this recognition is for our facility." stated Leslie Beadle, Nathan Littauer Nursing Home Administrator and Vice President, adding, "This is an area that we have been working on for many years. It is not one person's success but rather the entire team's accomplishment.' Ms. Beadle explains, "Freedom from pressure ulcers can equate to a better quality of life for our residents." The nursing home will continue in its quest to prevent pressure ulcers. Ms. Beadle concludes, "This is and continues to be a 24-7-365 effort throughout the facility."

Pressure ulcers appear on the surface of the skin, ranging from red areas to severe tissue damage which can go deep into muscle and bone. The sores can be hard to treat and slow to heal. The ulcers can also develop into infections, if the pressure sores do not heal properly. "Pressure ulcers can be a serious problem." stated Dr. Gruet, Littauer's Nursing Home Medical Director. "It is the daily hands on care that contributed to our success" explained Patricia Rodecker, Wound Care Certified Nurse for Nathan Littauer's Nursing Home. She added, "Prevention and proper wound care can undoubtedly contribute to the quality of life for our residents." According to the AMA, each year pressure ulcers affect more than 1 million patients and residents in nursing homes and hospitals nationwide. The costs associated with pressure ulcer treatment exceed $1.3 billion.

"This is one of the greatest accolades a nursing home can receive, because it speaks volumes about our preventative and attentive care." stated Laurence E. Kelly, Hospital President and CEO. He added, "This type of recognition is extraordinary." The nursing home will use the award funds to further improve the quality of care to its residents in the facility.

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Nathan Littauer Hospital and Family of Health Services serves Fulton, Montgomery and Hamilton Counties Upstate New York with a full-service 74-bed hospital, eight primary care centers, 84-bed nursing home and a community education center. The hospital opened 116 years ago, has 950 employees and recently opened a new Birthing Center. The hospital will be opening a new Emergency Care Center this summer.