BACKGROUND:Cost-effectiveness of low-air-loss beds for the healing of pressure ulcers was analyzed in the nursing home setting. A statistical model of pressure ulcer healing was used to estimate cost-effectiveness based on patient and ulcer characteristics. METHODS: Results of a previous randomized trial (84 patients from three nursing homes in Los Angeles) were reanalyzed and combined with estimates of costs to calculate the cost-effectiveness in dollars per added day free of pressure ulcers achieved by the use of low-air-loss beds compared to conventional foam mattresses. RESULTS: The cost-effectiveness of the low-air-loss bed was $26 per added day free of ulcers for our standard patient. Results were sensitive to low-air-loss bed lease costs and patient and wound healing characteristics. Results were less sensitive to expected mortality, daily wound care costs, and time-frame of consideration. Low-air-loss beds were more cost-effective for patients with good healing characteristics and mild ulcers. CONCLUSIONS: Findings support the expanded use of this technology for patients with mild pressure ulcers and good healing characteristics. For these patients, the cost-effectiveness of low-air-loss beds is comparable to other accepted health treatments. For patients with severe ulcers and poor healing characteristics, low-air-loss bed cost-effectiveness compares poorly with other accepted health treatments unless the lease cost can be substantially reduced, or unless life with a pressure ulcer is valued close to death.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: Cost-effectiveness of low-air-loss beds for the healing of pressure ulcers was analyzed in the nursing home setting. A statistical model of pressure ulcer healing was used to estimate cost-effectiveness based on patient and ulcer characteristics. METHODS: Results of a previous randomized trial (84 patients from three nursing homes in Los Angeles) were reanalyzed and combined with estimates of costs to calculate the cost-effectiveness in dollars per added day free of pressure ulcers achieved by the use of low-air-loss beds compared to conventional foam mattresses. RESULTS: The cost-effectiveness of the low-air-loss bed was $26 per added day free of ulcers for our standard patient. Results were sensitive to low-air-loss bed lease costs and patient and wound healing characteristics. Results were less sensitive to expected mortality, daily wound care costs, and time-frame of consideration. Low-air-loss beds were more cost-effective for patients with good healing characteristics and mild ulcers. CONCLUSIONS: Findings support the expanded use of this technology for patients with mild pressure ulcers and good healing characteristics. For these patients, the cost-effectiveness of low-air-loss beds is comparable to other accepted health treatments. For patients with severe ulcers and poor healing characteristics, low-air-loss bed cost-effectiveness compares poorly with other accepted health treatments unless the lease cost can be substantially reduced, or unless life with a pressure ulcer is valued close to death.
Authors: Chunhu Shi; Jo C Dumville; Nicky Cullum; Sarah Rhodes; Asmara Jammali-Blasi; Victoria Ramsden; Elizabeth McInnes Journal: Cochrane Database Syst Rev Date: 2021-05-10
Authors: Andrea C Tricco; Elise Cogo; Wanrudee Isaranuwatchai; Paul A Khan; Geetha Sanmugalingham; Jesmin Antony; Jeffrey S Hoch; Sharon E Straus Journal: BMC Med Date: 2015-04-22 Impact factor: 8.775