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Updated: Nov 6, 2025
06:45
Point-Of-Care Ultrasound Screening for Proximal Lower Extremity Deep Venous Thrombosis
Published on: February 10, 2023
14.8K
Delayed referral of venous ulcers increases resource usage
Misaki M Kiguchi1, Kyle B Reynolds1, Gina M Biagetti2
1Department of Vascular Surgery, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC.
Summary
Venous insufficiency is often overlooked in nonhealing wounds, leading to delayed treatment and increased costs. Early diagnosis and treatment by vascular specialists can significantly improve healing outcomes and reduce healthcare resource utilization.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Surgery
- Wound Care
- Medical Economics
Background:
- Venous insufficiency is a common but often unrecognized cause of chronic nonhealing wounds.
- Delayed diagnosis by nonvascular specialists leads to prolonged treatment courses and increased healthcare expenditures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the time and resources consumed before definitive treatment for venous ulcers.
- To highlight the impact of delayed diagnosis on patient outcomes and healthcare costs.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 56 patients (67 limbs) undergoing radiofrequency ablation for venous ulcers.
- Data collected included healthcare visits (inpatient, ED, wound care), time to ablation, and wound healing follow-up.
Main Results:
- Patients averaged 8.6 visits to wound care centers before venous etiology was identified.
- A median of 230 days elapsed between initial ulcer evaluation and definitive venous treatment.
- Wound healing rates at 12 months post-ablation reached 82.92%.
Conclusions:
- Earlier diagnosis and treatment of venous insufficiency by vascular specialists can significantly improve ulcer healing.
- Timely intervention can reduce the substantial healthcare resource utilization associated with delayed diagnosis and treatment.
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