Smith & Nephew (LSE: SN; NYSE: SNN), the global medical technology business, is supporting The National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP) in its observance of World Wide Pressure Ulcer Prevention Day, aimed at increasing awareness and education about the importance of pressure ulcer prevention in the U.S.
Pressure ulcers, also commonly referred to as bed sores, impact nearly 2.5 million patients and account for approximately 60,000 deaths in the U.S. each year1. Often associated with severe pain, pressure ulcers are injuries to the skin and underlying tissue, thought to be caused by prolonged pressure on the skin.2
“At Smith & Nephew we support healthcare professionals in their daily efforts to improve the lives of their patients and we are proud to support NPUAP’s World Wide Pressure Ulcer Prevention Day,” said Glenn Warner, President, Smith & Nephew Advanced Wound Management. “As an organization, we are deeply committed to educating patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals about the importance of pressure ulcer awareness and prevention. We believe that, when armed with the right information, preventative measures and effective treatment options, both patients and healthcare professionals can work together to lessen the burden and occurrence of pressure ulcers.”
In addition to the quality of life impact pressure ulcers can have on patients and their caregivers, there are also financial implications. It is estimated that pressure ulcers cost more than $10 billion per year3 to treat in the U.S. and, according to Medicare, each pressure ulcer that is treated, adds approximately $70,000 in costs3 to a hospital stay.
Additional information on pressure ulcers and World Wide Pressure Ulcer Prevention Day can be found at: http://www.npuap.org/resources/educational-and-clinical-resources/2015-world-wide-pressure-ulcer-prevention-day/
About Pressure Ulcers
Pressure ulcers, or bed sores, are injuries to the skin and underlying tissue, thought to be caused by prolonged pressure on the skin..2 They most often develop on patients’ heels, ankles, hips and tailbone. People most at risk for developing pressure ulcers are those with medical conditions that may limit their mobility and ability to change positions or requires them to remain in bed for a prolonged period of time. 2 Pressure ulcers typically develop quickly and can also be difficult to treat.
About Smith & Nephew
Smith & Nephew is a global medical technology business dedicated to helping healthcare professionals in their daily efforts to improve the lives of their patients. With leadership positions in Orthopaedic Reconstruction, Advanced Wound Management, Sports Medicine and Trauma & Extremities, Smith & Nephew has around 14,000 employees and a presence in more than 100 countries. Annual sales in 2014 were more than $4.6 billion. Smith & Nephew is a member of the FTSE100 (LSE: SN, NYSE: SNN).
For more information about Smith & Nephew, please visit our corporate website www.smith-nephew.com, follow @SmithNephewplc on Twitter or visit SmithNephewplc on Facebook.com
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References
1. Are we ready for this change?. October 2014. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. http://www.ahrq.gov/professionals/systems/hospital/pressureulcertoolkit/putool1.html
2. Mayo Clinic. Diseases and Conditions. Bed Sores. Accessed October 21, 2015: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bedsores/basics/definition/con-20030848
3. National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel, European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel and Pan Pacific Pressure Injury Alliance. Prevention and Treatment of Pressure Ulcers: Clinical Practice Guideline. Emily Haesler (Ed.). Cambridge Media: Perth, Australia; 2014.