title: High cost of stage IV pressure ulcers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to calculate and analyze the cost of treatment for stage IV pressure ulcers.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective chart analysis of patients with stage IV pressure ulcers was conducted. Hospital records and treatment outcomes of these patients were followed up for a maximum of 29 months and analyzed. Costs directly related to the treatment of pressure ulcers and their associated complications were calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nineteen patients with stage IV pressure ulcers (11 hospital-acquired and 8 community-acquired) were identified and their charts were reviewed. The average hospital treatment cost associated with stage IV pressure ulcers and related complications was $129,248 for hospital-acquired ulcers during 1 admission, and $124,327 for community-acquired ulcers over an average of 4 admissions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The costs incurred from stage IV pressure ulcers are much greater than previously estimated. Halting the progression of early stage pressure ulcers has the potential to eradicate enormous pain and suffering, save thousands of lives, and reduce health care expenditures by millions of dollars.
authors.affiliation: Division of Wound Healing and Regenerative Medicine, Helen and Martin Kimmel Wound Center, Department of Surgery, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA. harold.brem@nyumc.org
authors.forename: Harold
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Brem
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Maggi
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nierman
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rolnitzky
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rennert
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Golinko
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Courtney
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lyder
authors.forename: Bruce
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Vladeck
mesh_terms: D017281:Cost of Illness; D017721:Hospital Costs; D006785:Hospitals, University / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000191:economics*; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000191:economics / Q000628:therapy*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014481:United States