New Rules for Pressure Ulcer Risk Assessment in Nursing Homes

MDS version 3.0, the mandatory assessment tool for residents of skilled nursing facilities, was finally implemented October 2010 after years of planning.  Section M: Skin Condition has been completely revised and expanded.  This blog post will address MDS 3.0...

5 Ways to Improve Communication Regarding Wound Care

Because of the interdisciplinary nature of wound care, communication is critical to maintain the process of healing.  This applies to all types of chronic wounds including pressure ulcers and ulcers related to arterial and venous disease.  There are several avenues of...

Government Study Cites Flawed Medical Device Approval Process

FACT: Many wound-care products are considered “medical devices” with limited data on efficacy. A new study released by the Institute of Medicine points out that the FDA’s approval process for medical devices is flawed.  Medical devices include high profile...

Pressure Ulcer Prevention for Patients in Wheelchairs

In most cases pressure ulcer prevention can be accomplished by risk assessment followed by common sense choices for pressure reduction.  In these days of evidence based medicine, health care providers need to listen to the evidence and implement best practices to...

Online Training for MDS 3.0 Section M: Skin Condition

  This is the video of the pressure ulcer assessment and coding training session for MDS 3.0 Section M: Skin Condition that I delivered in Las Vegas on August 10, 2010.  It was posted online by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on January 20, 2011. ...

Pressure Ulcer Guide Exhibited in Las Vegas at NPUAP

I just got back from the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel Biennial Meeting in Las Vegas, where my Pocket Guide to Pressure Ulcers was exhibited and given its debut in digital format.  The guide was authored by myself and Elizabeth Ayello PhD, RN, and has sold...