title: The economics of preventing and treating pressure ulcers: a pilot study.
abstract: A pilot economic evaluation of a projected pressure ulcer prevention policy was carried out in a 252-bed geriatric unit in Glasgow. The aim was to set up a framework for evaluating and comparing the costs and benefits of current care and a potential prevention programme. Data were collated from prevalence and incidence studies. Prevalence results showed that 41% of the patient population suffered pressure damage to some extent and incidence data showed that 45% of these were potentially preventable. Evaluation of the costs and benefits shows that the prevention programme would be cost-effective. The cost would be between 17,606 Pounds and 28,669 Pounds but the benefits would range from 305,506 Pounds to 342,510 Pounds. The authors conclude that economic appraisal is feasible.
authors.affiliation: Argyll and Clyde Health Board, UK.
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Thomson
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Brooks
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D017046:Cost Savings; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D010865:Pilot Projects; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015995:Prevalence; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods*