The economics of preventing and treating pressure ulcers: a pilot study.

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.