Cost comparison of pressure ulcer preventive dressings: hydrocolloid dressing versus transparent polyurethane film.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate and compare the costs of using a transparent polyurethane film (PF) and hydrocolloid dressing (HD) in the prevention of pressure ulcers (PUs).


METHODS
This descriptive, observational, longitudinal, comparative study was conducted in the intensive care units, coronary care unit and medical clinic of a charity hospital in Brazil. Data were collected during a 30-day study period, consisting of physical examination, assessment of risk factors for PU development and application of the Braden scale, which were performed at inclusion in the study and once daily during hospitalisation. Either PF or HD was applied bilaterally in the sacral and trochanteric regions for prevention of PUs in patients at a moderate to high risk of PUs according to the Braden scale, and costs of using PU preventive dressings were estimated.


RESULTS
The mean total costs per dressing change per patient when using the HD and PF to prevent PUs were 413.60 BRL and 74.04 BRL, respectively. There were significant between-group differences in mean costs for all variables, except for saline solution and nurse-technician services.


CONCLUSIONS
Results showed that the mean cost per dressing change per patient was lower when using the transparent PF than when using the HD.
Master's Degree, Specialist in Stomatherapy, Nurse, Coordinator of the Intensive Care Unit, Intensive Care Unit Nurse, Holy House of Mercy of Passos, Passos, MG, Brazil.
R A A
RA
Dutra
Adjunct Professor of the Professional Master's Degree Programme, Psychologist, PhD in Plastic Surgery, Adjunct Professor of the Professional Master's Degree Programme and Graduate Programme in Translational Surgery, University of Vale do Sapucaí (UNIVÁS), Pouso Alegre, MG, Brazil.
G M
GM
Salomé
Master's Degree, Adjunct Professor of the Graduation Programme in Nursing, Institute of Education São Francisco (IESF), Mogi-Guaçu, SP, Brazil.
L M F
LM
Leal
Master's Degree, Specialist in Stomatherapy, Nurse, Coordinator of the Intensive Care Unit, Intensive Care Unit Nurse, Holy House of Mercy of Passos, Passos, MG, Brazil.
M G
MG
Alves
Coordinator of the Nursing Program, State University of Minas Gerais (UEMG), Passos, MG, Brazil.
J P
JP
Moura
Nurse, Master's Degree Student, Federal University of Alfenas (UNIFAL), Alfenas, MG, Brazil.
A T
AT
Silva
Master's Degree, Specialist in Stomatherapy, Nurse, Coordinator of the Intensive Care Unit, Intensive Care Unit Nurse, Holy House of Mercy of Passos, Passos, MG, Brazil.
V O S
VO
Pereira
Adjunct Professor of the Professional Master's Degree Programme, Psychologist, PhD in Plastic Surgery, Adjunct Professor of the Professional Master's Degree Programme and Graduate Programme in Translational Surgery, University of Vale do Sapucaí (UNIVÁS), Pouso Alegre, MG, Brazil.|Psychologist, PhD in Plastic Surgery, Adjunct Professor of the Professional Master's Degree Programme and Graduate Programme in Translational Surgery, Professor and Head of the Division of Plastic Surgery, Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil. (UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
M J A
MJ
de Brito
Psychologist, PhD in Plastic Surgery, Adjunct Professor of the Professional Master's Degree Programme and Graduate Programme in Translational Surgery, Professor and Head of the Division of Plastic Surgery, Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil. (UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
L M
LM
Ferreira
D047070:Bandages, Hydrocolloid / Q000191:economics*; D001938:Brazil; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009779:Occlusive Dressings / Q000191:economics*; D011140:Polyurethanes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000628:therapy*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*
D011140:Polyurethanes
Braden scale; pressure ulcers; risk factors