Revolutionizing Wound Care Through Collaboration: Corstrata and Advocates for Nurses

Alicia Jenkins BS, RN, CWCN, VP of Clinical Operations at Corstrata, and?

Maggie Ortiz, MSN, RN, CEO at Advocates for Nurses

When it comes to wound care, it takes more than just knowledge and skill—it takes passion, collaboration, and a deep commitment to patient safety. Together, Corstrata and Advocates for Nurses are leading the charge to not only provide exceptional wound care but also to guide the healthcare industry through complex legal frameworks, ensuring both patients and providers are protected at every stage.

Alicia Jenkins and Maggie Ortiz are seasoned nurse expert thought leaders driven by a responsibility to enhance patient safety, regulatory compliance, and innovative healthcare practices. Through our collaboration, we are amplifying #thoughtleadership and practical solutions to elevate clinical care across the NATION.? As members of the #NurseApproved, first Nurses@HLTH cohort at HLTH24, we are determined to shape the healthcare landscape, starting at #HLTH2024 CONFERENCE IN VEGAS.

Corstrata: Elevating Wound Care Through Technology

Wound care isn’t just a niche—it’s a high-stakes specialty both in terms of legal risk for clinicians and organizations as well as the patient, as mismanaged wounds can be debilitating or even limb or life threatening. Corstrata’s virtual wound care consultation service is redefining how healthcare providers address complex cases. Through remote virtual access to expert wound care clinicians, hospitals, rehabs, skilled nurse and long-term care facilities, doctors, patients, home health, and hospice agencies can improve outcomes, prevent survey deficiencies, costly litigation, fines, penalties, and reporting to governing agencies, and optimize patient care. As nurses at #NURSEAPPROVED and #HLTH24, we’ve seen how the right expertise, combined with cutting-edge technology, can transform patient care, improve outcomes, decrease litigation, decrease length of stays and unnecessary treatments, and SAVE payers and organizations significant revenue..

The impact of pressure injuries alone is profound. Over 2.5 million patients suffer from complications such as osteomyelitis and sepsis annually due to inadequate identification, prevention, and treatment mismanagement. But Corstrata’s telehealth-driven approach ensures that every patient receives the care they deserve, no matter where they are. Leveraging a nationwide network of board-certified wound care clinicians (WOC Nurses), they empower all healthcare organizations and providers to deliver timely, evidence-based care that saves lives and money.

Legal Nurse Advocacy: Bridging the Gap Between Care and Compliance

As the founder of Advocates for Nurses, I have seen firsthand the importance of evidence-based practices in wound care, especially when litigation is a risk. From civil cases to Board of Nursing investigations, pressure ulcers and other preventable injuries are among the most common triggers for legal action that oftentimes follow providers for life.? That’s where my nursing legal nurse expertise comes in—by providing regulatory knowledge and aligning clinical practices with standards of care and what a “prudent nurse would or would not do in the same or similar circumstance,” and the nursing legal standards ensuring that all organizations not only meet compliance but excel in patient care.

Along with Corstrata, I work to ensure healthcare providers are aware of potential pitfalls and litigation risks. The term “Failure to Respond” is not just a clinical error—it’s a legal liability and, yes, does apply to failure to respond to pressure injury, not just codes.? My passion and role is to prevent these risks by promoting best practices, empowering clinicians with the tools they need to avoid legal action, and, most importantly, delivering safer care through documentation and adhering to best practices.? NOT CHARTED NOT DONE RIGHT.??

Bridging Technology and Compliance

Just as healthcare organizations can’t afford to overlook patient care, they can’t afford to ignore the technology that makes getting basic evidenced based care more efficient and cost effective; think about the rural community or a remote location, the urban care desert, and or just needing another expert opinion. Corstrata’s technology enabled solution bridges the gap between expert clinical care and regulatory compliance, and they are transforming how wound care is delivered. Our collaboration as NURSE APPROVED companies is not just about consultation—it’s about shaping a future where patients are safer, clinicians are empowered and protected, and all healthcare organizations and providers avoid costly legal battles.

NurseApproved: A Seal of Innovation and Trust

As part of the #NurseApproved cohort, both Corstrata and Advocates for Nurses are proud to be among a community of nurse innovators dedicated to solving healthcare’s most persistent challenges. Our shared mission is simple: to make healthcare safer, smarter, and more responsive to the needs of patients and providers alike. At #HLTH2024, we are honored to represent nurse-led businesses that are breaking barriers and improving outcomes.

The NurseApproved seal isn’t just a badge—it’s a testament to our commitment to excellence. As innovators, problem-solvers, and experienced clinicians, we are here to let the healthcare industry know we’re ready to transform how care is delivered and ensure every patient receives the best possible outcomes.

Join Us at HLTH 2024!

Are you attending HLTH in Las Vegas this year? We’d love to connect with you! Whether you’re a hospital administrator, investor, or clinician, we’re eager to explore how we can collaborate to improve outcomes and protect the healthcare workforce.

Insights from the Authors:

"Wound care is a specialized field that requires the right knowledge, tools, and expert support. Providers and organizations need to adopt technologies that not only improve care but also protect against the risk of litigation. That’s why our collaboration with Corstrata is so important—together, we’re bridging the gap between care and compliance." — Maggie Ortiz, MSN, RN, CEO, Advocates for Nurses

“The care of patients with wounds, along with any related documentation, has significant legal implications for providers. Twenty percent (20%) of all medical claims in the United States and more than 10% of settlements are wound-related (1). Pressure injuries impose a notable burden on patients, the healthcare system, and the legal system. More than 17,000 pressure injury-related lawsuits are filed annually (2). A settlement's value depends on the patient’s age, wound severity, pain and suffering, and subsequent complications.? A settlement for a patient who recovers relatively quickly may average between $150,000 -$300,000. ? For a pressure injury that becomes infected or requires hospitalization, the settlement may be $500,000 or more. For a pressure injury that directly contributes to a patient’s death, a wrongful death suit costs up to $1 million (3).?

Collaborating with Maggie Ortiz is so valuable due to her extensive knowledge and expertise in supporting nurses and organizations to protect them from legal pitfalls and litigation risks. — Alicia Jenkins, VP of Clinical Operations, Corstrata

Authors’ Note: This article is a personal reflection of the authors’ views and experiences and does not represent the views of any affiliated organizations unless explicitly stated.

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References:

1. Berlowitz, D. (n.d.). Preventing pressure ulcers in hospitals: A toolkit for improving ... AHRQ. Retrieved July 31, 2022, from https://www.ahrq.gov/sites/default/files/publications/files/putoolkit.pdf.? Accessed October 14, 2018.
2. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. “Preventing and Treating Pressure Ulcers in Hospitals.”? CMS.gov.
3. Corstrata. (2021, August 10). Legal implications for wound care, part 1: Wound assessment. Corstrata. https://www.corstrata.com/post/legal-implications-for-wound-care-part-1-wound-assessment
4. Estate of Smith v. XYZ Nursing Home, Case No. 12345, 2018. Johnson v. ABC Hospital, Case No. 67890, 2020.
5. National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). "Nurse Licensure and Disciplinary Actions." NCSBN. ?ncsbn.org
6. Pfaff, J. A., & Moore, G. P. (2005, September 1;16:97–108.). Ed wound management: Identifying and reducing risk: 2005-09-01: AHC... Relias Media | Online Continuing Medical Education | Relias Media - Continuing Medical Education Publishing. Retrieved July 31, 2022, from https://www.reliasmedia.com/articles/83579-ed-wound-management-identifying-and-reducing-risk
7. P., F., B., L., H., T., F., S., & B., A. (2021, June 14). How much is an average Bedsore lawsuit settlement? Sinel & Olesen. Retrieved July 31, 2022, fromhttps://nycbedsorelawyer.com/how-much-is-an-average-bedsore-lawsuit-settlement/#:~:text=In%20cases%20where%20bedsores%20are,region%20of%20%24500%2C000%20or%20more