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[The costs of decubitus]
1Academisch Ziekenhuis, afd. Interne Geneeskunde, Utrecht.
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde
|April 6, 1991
Summary
Preventing and treating decubitus (bed sores) incurs substantial costs, totaling Dfl. 700 million annually in Dutch hospitals and nursing homes. These expenses are rising due to an aging population, with extended hospital stays being the primary cost driver.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare Economics
- Wound Care Management
Context:
- Decubitus (bed sores) represent a significant healthcare burden in the Netherlands.
- Prevalence data from hospitals and nursing homes, alongside treatment costs, were analyzed.
- A strict protocol for decubitus treatment at University Hospital Utrecht provided a basis for cost extrapolation.
Purpose:
- To calculate the costs associated with the prevention and treatment of decubitus.
- To analyze the cost structure of decubitus care.
- To estimate the total annual financial impact of decubitus in healthcare settings.
Summary:
- Annual costs for decubitus prevention and treatment in Dutch hospitals and nursing homes are estimated at Dfl. 700 million.
- Prevention costs Dfl. 95 per patient daily, while treatment ranges from Dfl. 133 to Dfl. 175 per day depending on severity.
- Extended hospital stays (65%) and increased nursing staff attendance (25%) are the major cost components, not special beds (7%).
Impact:
- The high and increasing costs of decubitus, particularly in an aging population, necessitate strategic financial planning.
- Current financing models may struggle to cover essential prevention and treatment tools like special beds.
- Understanding cost structures can inform resource allocation and policy development in wound care.