We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Cost-effectiveness of low-air-loss beds for treatment of pressure ulcers.
- Authors
Ferrell, B A; Keeler, E; Siu, A L; Ahn, S H; Osterweil, D
- Abstract
<bold>Background: </bold>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.<bold>Methods: </bold>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.<bold>Results: </bold>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.<bold>Conclusions: </bold>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.
- Subjects
PRESSURE ulcers; CLINICAL trials; COMPARATIVE studies; COST effectiveness; RESEARCH methodology; MEDICAL cooperation; NURSING care facilities; RESEARCH; RESEARCH funding; EVALUATION research; RANDOMIZED controlled trials
- Publication
Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences & Medical Sciences, 1995, Vol 50A, Issue 3, pM141
- ISSN
1079-5006
- Publication type
journal article
- DOI
10.1093/gerona/50a.3.m141