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AAWC President Elect Ruth Bryant's Hill Day on Pressure Ulcers

On Wednesday, March 13, the Association for the Advancement of Wound Care (AAWC) President-elect Ruth Bryant, PhD, RN, CWOCN, met with a number of House and Senate offices on Capitol Hill to educate lawmakers on the need for increased prevention of pressure ulcers for our nation’s veterans. Dr. Bryant was joined by Martin Burns, CEO of Bruin Biometrics, and representatives from Arnold & Porter specializing in health care policy.

Congress is now developing the appropriations bills that will fund the federal government’s departments and programs in the 2020 fiscal year. BBI and AAWC met with House and Senate offices to discuss the need for increased funding for research on pressure ulcer prevention at the Veterans Hospital Administration (VHA), particularly with high risk populations such as veterans with spinal cord injuries, and BBI’s interest in developing a pilot program for the VHA using SEM Scanner technology*. Veterans treated in Veterans Health Administration (VHA) hospitals are 52% more likely to develop a pressure ulcer than patients in civilian hospitals. It costs the VHA between $20,900 and $151,700 to treat each individual pressure ulcer, totaling an estimated $1.3 to $3.6 billion in costs annually. Dr. Bryant discussed the importance of finding new approaches that could allow the VHA to save resources and ensure the highest quality of care for veterans.

The group met with the staff of the following members of Congress:

•    Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-GA)
•    Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA)
•    Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN)
•    Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME)
•    Rep. Martha Roby (R-AL)
•    Rep. Rob Woodall (R-GA)
•    Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME)
•    Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)
•    Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL)

The group also discussed the unique challenges facing the VHA in addressing pressure ulcers with staff members of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, which are tasked with crafting the legislation that is ultimately approved by Congress. The day was highlighted by a meeting with Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), who serves as Chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans’ Affairs, and Related Agencies, which oversees the Department of Veterans Affairs. Rep. Wasserman Schultz has been supportive of efforts to combat the threat of pressure ulcers in the past, and expressed interest in BBI’s pilot program proposal.

Throughout the day, Dr. Bryant provided valuable insight into the challenges of identifying and treating pressure ulcers, and the harm they cause to patients. Her perspective as an expert on the subject provided valuable information for Congressional staff, who have been concerned about higher pressure ulcer rates at the VA. Dr. Bryant’s efforts ensured that Congressional leaders are aware of new developments in the science and technology to alleviate the burden of pressure ulcers, setting a strong base for progress on this issue down the road. The AAWC is committed to continuing to work with Congress to improve the identification and care of patients with pressure ulcers and to improve prevention strategies for those at risk.


* Bruin Biometrics (BBI) is a medical device company that has developed innovative technology called the “SEM Scanner,” for early detection and prevention of pressure ulcers. The hand-held, portable wound assessment device can alert caregivers and providers to increased risk 5 days (median) before ulceration or visual signs of skin damage. The SEM Scanner, currently deployed across the UK and Canada, has seen success in reducing facility-acquired pressure ulcers (FAPUs). The SEM Scanner has been used in Europe since 2014 to prevent pressure ulcers, with up to 100% reductions in PU incidents across all care settings. In December of this past year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted marketing authorization for the SEM Scanner, as an adjunct to the standard of care when assessing patients in the U.S. who are at increased risk for pressure ulcers. BBI is interested in partnering with the VA to pilot the technology.

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Price is Right

The AAWC welcomed Former Secretary of Health and Human Services director, Tom Price, MD, to the Pressure Ulcer Summit to address whether the problem of pressure ulcers and chronic wounds has finally grabbed Washington’s attention? After speaking with the Secretary and listening to his lecture, it is clear that it has.

In his address, Secretary Price emphasized that politics are all about relationships. If the AAWC wants to influence policy, the AAWC must get to know key elected officials, especially members of their staff. In return, when a matter develops or counsel is needed on a wound related issue, Congress will turn for guidance to the society with whom they are most familiar: The AAWC.

Secretary Price outlined a plan. First, meet your regional representative, preferably in his or her home district. Share success stories about healing patients and the challenges in the wound care profession. Consider what is known in Washington as a “fly-in,” where select AAWC members come together in Washington to educate their congressional representatives on the issues facing the profession and patients. Make the fly-in a regular event. He recommended forging relationships with staffers as well as the legislators themselves. The representatives rely heavily on their staffs and when informed on matters, they can serve as advocates for the AAWC. Finally, keep in mind that if the AAWC is not present in Washington, DC and does not engage and inform Congressional representatives, another organization will fill the void.

To the applause of the members of the eight societies that joined together in support of the Pressure Ulcer Summit, Secretary Price stressed the importance of speaking with one voice. Disagreement between societies, he said, will not be mediated by Congress. On the contrary, they will find a united group and engage with them.

The AAWC must speak with one voice! Our plans for 2019 include engaging as much as Secretary Price recommended. On the ground in DC is are partner organizations willing to help the AAWC approach those on the Hill most influential on matters important in wound care. The AAWC is listening to its membership to bring together with one voice the issues which need to be before Congress. The AAWC is grateful to Secretary Price for recognizing the leadership role the organization plays in the wound care community. We look forward to seeing him and others in DC.


National Pressure Ulcer/Injury Day

National Pressure Ulcer/Injury Day
Catherine Milne APRN, CWOCN-AP

Why does it seem that everyday has a special name? I’m not talking about “Monday” or “Saturday”. Rather, “National Sunshine Day” or “Hedgehog Recognition Day”. I was happy to discover that Representative Tom Emmer, along with his colleagues Rep. Karen Handel, Bruce Poliquin and Rob Woodall have proposed H. RES. 1133. What is H. Res. 1133? It is the proposal to name every third Thursday of November National Pressure Ulcer/Injury Prevention Day and brings this critical issue to national recognition beyond our daily scope. CLICK HERE to read the letter from Representative Tom Emmer.

The resolution brings awareness that over 2 million Americans are impacted by pressure ulcers/injuries annually. With that, the call to action to focus on research, prevention and early detection. More importantly, H. RES. 1133 encourages the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to review current protocols and develop a plan to use peer-reviewed science to test and revise pressure ulcer/injury protocols. Additionally, H. RES. 1133 calls on HHS to host an annual Federal inter-agency conference that includes healthcare providers, community caregivers, patients/families, veteran advocacy groups, academia to publicly review and discuss the state of pressure ulcer/injury research, protocols, scope and magnitude of the problem.

Sounds like a dream come true, right? Well, it IS a dream. We need to make it a reality. H. RES. 1133 is still a proposal and it still needs to pass to become a reality. How can that happen? You...yes, YOU. It’s not as hard as it sounds.Write your Representative and tell them how important it is. I promise you that it will only take 5 minutes. That’s less time than most dressing changes. And this change can change the world.

Here’s how:
Click on this link https://www.contactingcongress.org/
Type in your Zip Code
Find your Representative
Follow the directions to send an email.
Don’t know what to say? I have made it easy for you. Personalized letters weigh more favorably on our Representatives. The AAWC has drafted two letters that you may find helpful to use or amend. The first sample allows some personalization. Please feel free to add any other information you may want. The second sample letter, though less personal, will still have an impact.

Dear Representative (insert their name here),
As a (include your title here…Physician, Nurse Practitioner, Physical Therapist, etc.) who (cares for, manages, frequently sees, etc.) patients with pressure ulcers/injuries, I urge you to support H. Res. 1133 –Pressure Ulcer/Injury Prevention Day. This devastating health problem affects 2 million Americans a year and contributes to the death of 60,000. Pressure ulcers/injuries affect all ages and is seen in all healthcare settings as well as in people being cared for by their loved ones.

Your support of H. Res. 1133 will help countless Americans prevent the pain and suffering associated with pressure ulcers/injuries.

Thank you.

(Sign with your name)
 
Dear Representative (insert their name here),
As a healthcare provider who frequently sees patients with pressure ulcers/injuries, I urge you to support H. Res. 1133 –Pressure Ulcer/Injury Prevention Day. This devastating health problem affects 2 million Americans a year and contributes to the death of 60,000. Pressure ulcers/injuries affect all ages and is seen in all healthcare settings as well as in people being cared for by their loved ones.

Your support of H. Res. 1133 will help countless Americans prevent the pain and suffering associated with pressure ulcers/injuries.

Thank you.

(Sign with your name)