Flushing Hospital Places Second for Infection Prevention Initiative, Also Develops Skin Team

In an effort to decrease hospital acquired infections (HAIs) and pressure ulcers, also known as bed sores, the Departments of Medicine, Nursing, and Infection Control at Flushing Hospital have decided to work together to ensure that hospitalized patients are receiving high quality care.

Last Fall, 16 employees participated in the "Infection Prevention Quality Coach Program", a collaborative organized by the Greater New York Hospital Association and 1199SEUI. Flushing Hospital's infection control storyboard ranked second among the many initiatives presented by hospitals from across the area.  As a sign of appreciation, a special luncheon was provided to the hospital’s infection prevention team for their efforts.

The initiative included prevention practices related to hand hygiene, health care worker immunizations, and environmental cleanliness.

“We are extremely excited about this program and truly understand that in order to decrease hospital acquired conditions, everyone has to be a champion for infection control,” explained Judy Fine, Director of Infection Control at Jamaica and Flushing Hospitals.

And the effort is truly catching on at Flushing.

The Departments of Medicine and Nursing, as well as Rehabilitation and Geriatric Fellows established a Skin Team as a way to identify patients who are at risk for developing pressure ulcers once they are admitted into the hospital.

Patients are identified as being at risk through the use of a Pressure Ulcer Analysis Form. Such factors such as impaired mobility, nutritional status, level of consciousness, and incontinence alerts team members and staff to implement Pressure Ulcer Prevention Protocol immediately. Twenty four hour turn sheets are placed at the bedside of patients at risk, they are checked every two hours, and their condition is reviewed at the end of each shift.

Rounds are conducted on a weekly basis and monthly meetings are held to monitor the incidence of pressure ulcers.

“We want to make sure that we have a safe environment and no adverse outcomes for patients and that we’re providing them with the highest quality of care,” said Ms. Fine.

Special congratulations to the Infection Prevention Team and the Infectious Control Department. And keep up the good work Skin Team!!!