Our Custom Slipper Socks are excellent for fall prevention management, featuring skid- and slip-resistant tread. Key features include extended tread and sizes conveniently printed on the bottom. The soft terrycloth material used to create these slipper socks provides warmth while also absorbing any perspiration. Slipper socks are easy to slip on and off and offer the highest level of comfort for patients. This product is available in many different colors options: grey, dark green, white, light blue, yellow, orange, purple, and red. These slipper socks are also available in both regular width and bariatric sizes. Bariatric sized provides extra stretch in the cuff and body of the sock for added patient comfort.

At the Winter Institute that was organized by the SunCoast AHRMM Chapter, one example from Brent Petty’s presentation caught our attention since it’s an issue that we’ve also learned about from the clinicians we work with. Brent shared results from a CQO-driven improvement project from his work at Wellmont Health System. Supply chain leaders noted multiple SKUs for patient slipper socks used across the organization. The CQO framework allowed clinicians and supply chain to use a scorecard together to evaluate slipper sock options.

Just like the clinicians that we work with on slipper sock design, the Wellmont clinicians knew that slipper sock choices can influence patient fall rates. Wellmont compared patient falls data from units using different socks. Integrating this quality view alongside cost and data on outcomes led to the selection of a clear winner – and it was not the premium-priced option. Wellmont’s use of the CQO framework aligned all stakeholders in an improvement in both cost and quality, leading to improved outcomes for both patients and the health system.

With clinician leadership, Trinity has captured impressive savings and quality improvements from the type of clinical supplies that don’t often make headlines.  Hisscock shared data on Trinity’s work to achieve quality improvements, SKU reductions and savings in patient slipper socks, using a formulary approach. The Trinity team tackled slipper socks with this familiar tool from PPI and pharmaceutical sourcing, by documenting clinician and patient requirements, then seeking a sourcing partner who could deliver exactly what they wanted at an improved price.

Slipper socks need to meet performance standards for every patient:  the fit has to be correct to avoid compromising circulation, and the tread helps minimize the risk of falls. Sock color is used on some units to flag fall risk.  Remarkably, Trinity discovered that despite ninety-seven slipper sock SKUs in use across the system, the socks still weren’t exactly right. Feedback from the local Ministries reflected poor satisfaction with the products in use, including complaints about a limited size range and reports of possibly-preventable falls.  Spend in this category drifted off-contract as well, with two contracted suppliers in place but eight suppliers used system-wide.