Anna Mealy1, Sean Tierney2, Jan Sorensen3. 1. The Royal Hospital, Perth, Australia. mealyan@tcd.ie. 2. Tallaght University Hospital, Dublin, Republic of Ireland. 3. Healthcare Outcome Research Centre, RCSI, Dublin, Republic of Ireland.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To analyse the current provision of lower extremity amputations (LEA) in Irish public hospitals by patient characteristics and assess the potential savings for reducing numbers if a national multi-disciplinary foot protection clinic (MDFPC) was established nation-wide. DESIGN AND DATA SOURCES: Patient characteristics of LEA conducted during 2016-2019 were analysed based on discharge data from the national hospital inpatient enquiry system. Reported consequences from existing literature were used to extrapolate national consequences. RESULTS: Public hospitals registered 3104 hospital admissions with LEA during 2016-2019. 68% (n = 2099) of these were minor amputations. About 76% (n = 1592) of minor amputations and 52% (n = 525) of major amputations were performed on patients with a diagnosis of diabetes. If the implementation of a national MDFPC programmed could reduce the number of diabetic amputations by 20%, 80 minor and 26 major amputations could be avoided annually. This would avoid nearly 3000 hospital bed days and correspond to a potential annual saving of €3 M. CONCLUSION: LEA has severe impact on patients' lives and hospital resources. Potential savings from effective prevention strategies may offer both health improvements and cost-savings.
OBJECTIVE: To analyse the current provision of lower extremity amputations (LEA) in Irish public hospitals by patient characteristics and assess the potential savings for reducing numbers if a national multi-disciplinary foot protection clinic (MDFPC) was established nation-wide. DESIGN AND DATA SOURCES: Patient characteristics of LEA conducted during 2016-2019 were analysed based on discharge data from the national hospital inpatient enquiry system. Reported consequences from existing literature were used to extrapolate national consequences. RESULTS: Public hospitals registered 3104 hospital admissions with LEA during 2016-2019. 68% (n = 2099) of these were minor amputations. About 76% (n = 1592) of minor amputations and 52% (n = 525) of major amputations were performed on patients with a diagnosis of diabetes. If the implementation of a national MDFPC programmed could reduce the number of diabetic amputations by 20%, 80 minor and 26 major amputations could be avoided annually. This would avoid nearly 3000 hospital bed days and correspond to a potential annual saving of €3 M. CONCLUSION: LEA has severe impact on patients' lives and hospital resources. Potential savings from effective prevention strategies may offer both health improvements and cost-savings.
Authors: M Kerr; E Barron; P Chadwick; T Evans; W M Kong; G Rayman; M Sutton-Smith; G Todd; B Young; W J Jeffcoate Journal: Diabet Med Date: 2019-06-05 Impact factor: 4.359
Authors: Nicholas Tentolouris; Sameer Al-Sabbagh; Michael G Walker; Andrew J M Boulton; Edward B Jude Journal: Diabetes Care Date: 2004-07 Impact factor: 19.112