New Technology at Columbia Memorial Health Aims to Reduce Hospital Acquired Pressure Injuries and Improve Patient Safety
Columbia Memorial Health (CMH) has implemented a new patient monitoring system designed to help reduce hospital acquired pressure injuries that can occur during long hospital stays.
Pressure injuries, commonly referred to as bed sores, can negatively impact patient outcomes and increase length of stay and health care costs. The LEAF® Patient Monitoring System by Smith+Nephew provides continuous, real-time repositioning guidance to clinical staff, alerting them to the appropriate time to adjust a patient’s position.
“This innovative technology represents CMH’s continued commitment to delivering high-quality, patient-centered care to our community and aligns with our mission to be the first choice for clinical excellence,” said Stephanie Hisgen, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, chief nursing officer of Columbia Memorial Health.
A small disposable sensor placed on the patient’s chest tracks their position and movement and wirelessly transmits the information for display on monitors throughout the unit, visible to clinical staff. CMH’s frontline nursing staff have developed specific criteria to identify patients who are appropriate for the LEAF System.
The LEAF® system is supported by a grant from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation to support a culture of nursing excellence, recruitment and retention.
“Preventing hospital acquired pressure injuries is a critical part of delivering safe, dignified care. Columbia Memorial Health’s adoption of this technology reflects a proactive approach to improving patient outcomes while supporting the clinicians who provide care every day,” said Daniel Frascella, chief of programs and grants for the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation.
The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation is a private, nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve the health and wellbeing of New Yorkers, bolster the health outcomes of vulnerable communities, eliminate barriers to care, and bridge gaps in health services. Named after a tireless advocate for immigrants, children, and the poor, the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation funds programs and initiatives across New York State that either provide direct healthcare services or address the social determinants of health.