Current home care expenditures for persons with leg ulcers.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of the home care expenditures incurred in providing care to the population with leg ulcers.


METHODS
The study was designed as a descriptive survey and was conducted over a 4-week period during March 1999.


METHODS
Persons in a large Ontario urban center with an ulcer below the knee, including the foot, who were receiving nursing services in the home, were eligible for inclusion in the study.


METHODS
A leg assessment tool, a supply usage form, and a visiting nurses log (all developed by the researchers for the study) were used to collect data.


METHODS
Home care nurses visited all clients and completed an in-depth assessment of their social, medical, and leg ulcer history. Legs were inspected, an ankle brachial pressure index score was determined, and ulcers were examined and measured. For each nursing visit, supply usage, travel and treatment times, and mileage were tracked.


RESULTS
During the study period, 2270 visits were made (mean treatment time = 26 minutes, mean travel time = 17 minutes) costing $80.62 (Canadian dollars). Supply costs were $21.06. The regional annual home care expenditures were conservatively estimated to be $1.3 million.


CONCLUSIONS
Costs could potentially be reduced by cutting the 40% visit time attributed to travel, decreasing the visit frequency to clients with minimal drainage, and attention to "best practice."
Continuity of Care Program, Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Ottawa Health Research Institute, Civic Campus, Ottawa Hospital, 1053 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario, K1Y 4E9 Canada. efriedberg@ohrl.ca
Elaine H
EH
Friedberg
Margaret B
MB
Harrison
Ian D
ID
Graham
D015331:Cohort Studies; D003152:Community Health Nursing / Q000191:economics*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D005102:Health Expenditures; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007871:Leg Ulcer / Q000191:economics* / Q000451:nursing*; D008297:Male; D009864:Ontario