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Major costs associated with pressure sores
H S Javitz1, M M Ward, L Martens
1Center for Health Sciences, SRI International, Menlo Park, CA, USA.
Journal of Wound Care
|August 11, 1998
Summary
Identifying cost drivers for full-thickness pressure sore treatment is crucial for effective care. Key factors include nursing time, wound care supplies, and hospitalizations, guiding cost-effective strategies.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare Management
- Wound Care
- Medical Economics
Background:
- Full-thickness pressure sores represent a significant healthcare burden.
- Understanding treatment costs is essential for resource allocation and patient care improvement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and analyze the primary cost drivers associated with the treatment of full-thickness pressure sores.
- To provide data that can inform the development of cost-effective treatment and prevention strategies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review to identify existing cost drivers.
- Analysis of Medicare data tapes for cost information.
- Interviews with healthcare providers to gather practical insights.
Main Results:
- Key cost drivers identified include nursing time (wound care, repositioning), wound dressings, patient support devices, and antibiotics.
- Significant costs are associated with nursing home room charges, physician visits, surgical debridement, and hospital admissions for pressure sore treatment.
- Additional hospital costs arise when pressure sores develop during treatment for other conditions.
Conclusions:
- The identified cost drivers provide a comprehensive overview of financial expenditures in pressure sore management.
- Healthcare providers can utilize this information to implement targeted, cost-effective interventions for pressure sore treatment and prevention.