OBJECTIVES: To estimate the potential budget impact of utilizing a cyanoacrylate polymer barrier film (CPBF) for the prevention of incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD) compared to traditional methods for patients in an intensive care hospital setting in New Zealand

METHODS: A cost-minimization model was used to calculate the potential budget impact of using CPBF for the prevention of IAD in hospitalized patients requiring intensive care compared to traditional methods from the perspective of public health in New Zealand over one year. The model considered all patients with incontinence are at risk of developing IAD, and was based on parameters taken from published literature, including rates of incontinence (40%)¹. The daily average number of incontinent episodes per patient was 6. The number of product applications per week was 42 for traditional methods versus 2 applications per week for CPBF prevention and mild IAD, and 3 times per week for moderate to severe IAD. The cleansing and application time for the traditional method was 5 minutes and 2 minutes, respectively, versus 2 mins and 45 seconds respectively for CPBF. Local material and nursing costs were applied. All calculations were performed in New Zealand dollars

RESULTS: The total yearly material costs for a 30-bed intensive care unit were 11% ($1,776) higher for traditional methods ($14,743) compared to CPBF use ($16,519). Total nursing time was 71% (2,899 hours) less for CPBF (1,188 hours) compared to traditional methods (4,088 hours). The total savings associated with using CPBF was 63.9% ($110,972)

CONCLUSIONS: