Lindholm C, Searle R, et al.
International wound journal. Date of publication 2016 Jul 1;volume 13 Suppl 2():5-15.
1. Int Wound J. 2016 Jul;13 Suppl 2:5-15. doi: 10.1111/iwj.12623.
Wound management for the 21st century: combining effectiveness and efficiency.
Lindholm C(1), Searle R(2).
Author information:
(1)Sophiahemmet University, Stockholm, Sweden.
(2)Smith & Nephew Medical Ltd, Hull, UK.
Treatment of wounds of different aetiologies constitutes a major part of the
total health care budget. It is estimated that 1·5-2 million people in Europe
suffer from acute or chronic wounds. These wounds are managed both in hospitals
and in community care. The patients suffering from these wounds report physical,
mental and social consequences of their wounds and the care of them. It is often
believed that the use of wound dressings per se is the major cost driver in wound
management, whereas in fact, nursing time and hospital costs are together
responsible for around 80-85% of the total cost. Healing time, frequency of
dressing change and complications are three important cost drivers. However, with
the use of modern, advanced technology for more rapid wound healing, all these
cost drivers can be substantially reduced. A basic understanding of the
terminology and principles of Health Economics in relation to wound management
might therefore be of interest.
© 2016 Medicalhelplines.com Inc and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
DOI: 10.1111/iwj.12623
PMID: 27460943 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
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