FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For Further Information Contact:
Desiree M. Voinche
Manager, Communications and Outreach
voinched@dfmc.org

District Nursing Homes and Hospitals Partner
to Improve Quality of Care for Residents with Pressure Ulcers
Delmarva Foundation and District Department of Health Collaborate on 90-Day Pilot

Washington, D.C., January 11, 2007 – Delmarva Foundation, Medicare’s Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) in the District of Columbia, and the District of Columbia Department of Health (DC DOH) recently kicked off a pilot program aimed at improving the level of care provided to residents with pressure ulcers. The program seeks to enhance continuity of care between hospitals and nursing homes for residents with pressure ulcers as well as those at risk for developing pressure ulcers. Beverly LivingCenter - Northwest, Washington Hospital Center, and Georgetown University Hospital are participating in the 90-day pilot.

“This exciting new program provides a unique opportunity for nursing homes and hospitals to work together to make sure there is a smooth transition for residents between healthcare facilities” said Wendy Gary, MHA, Director of Quality Improvement Programs, Delmarva Foundation. “It is our hope that this pilot becomes the model for the consistent identification, treatment, and reduction of pressure ulcers among District residents.”

The pilot focuses on improved communication between nursing homes and hospitals when transferring residents. Program goals include preventing the development of new pressure ulcers, identifying those at risk for pressure ulcer development, and improving education regarding prevention and treatment. The project is also designed to test, implement, and spread key strategies to reduce the deterioration of existing pressure ulcers.

“We commend Beverly LivingCenter - Northwest, Washington Hospital Center, and Georgetown University Hospital for their participation in this collaborative effort,” said Sharon Williams Lewis, RN, MSA, Program Manager for the DC Health Administration. “The lessons learned from this pilot project will help enhance the quality of care that all District of Columbia nursing home residents receive.”

For more information on this pilot, please visit www.delmarvafoundation.org.

####

About Delmarva Foundation
Delmarva Foundation is a national, not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving healthcare quality in over 20 states. Since 1973, Delmarva has assisted in improving care in hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies, medical practices and health plans. Delmarva performs quality improvement, quality assurance, utilization review, external quality review and Program Safeguard activities. The company's corporate headquarters are located in Easton, Maryland with other offices in Baltimore, Maryland; Washington, DC; Columbia, South Carolina; Tampa, Florida; and Tallahassee, Florida. For more information, please visit Delmarva Foundation on the web at www.delmarvafoundation.org.