NEWTON – The New Jersey Hospital Association recognized a Newton Memorial Hospital nursing unit and the Hospital Wound Care Team for having no new incidence of pressure ulcers for three or more months.

The nursing staff on 2-West, a medical/surgical unit, worked in collaboration with the Hospital Wound Care Team and the NJHA to incorporate best practice standards that reduce painful bed sores, also known as pressure ulcers. Last year, NJHA recognized the same unit for reducing pressure ulcers by 25 percent.

“The results have been outstanding,” Newton Memorial Hospital Director of Quality, Ardelle Bigos said. “Last year, we significantly reduced pressure ulcers and for a time this year we eliminated them altogether. It’s a testament to the guidance of the NJHA as well as our skilled, dedicated team, which places patient safety and care at the top of their list of priorities.”

More than 1 million patients throughout the country are affected each year by pressure ulcers. Costs associated with treating them exceed $1.3 billion. More importantly, the human toll of pain, depression, altered self image, infection and increased mortality is immeasurable.

Newton Memorial Hospital has implemented the pressure-ulcer best-practice standards throughout at all other units throughout the Hospital.

PHOTO CAPTION: Nursing staff at Newton Memorial Hospital receive a plaque of recognition from NJHA for successfully preventing “bedsores” for three consecutive months. This team, which is from the Hospital’s 2-West Medical/Surgical Unit, has led the Hospital’s efforts to reduce these sores, also known as Pressure Ulcers. From left to right (back) Karla Coombs, Monica Ferraro, Staci Acker, 2-West Clinical Manager Karin Kuhens, and Lauren Cowell. (Front) NMH Wound Care Specialist Janet Knight and Nancy Campbell, on behalf of the NJHA.