OBJECTIVES

Bioburden in the dead space between the wound dressing (WD) and the wound bed compromises faster wound healing and is associated with economic burden. This study assessed the potential of reduced wound filler (WF) consumption through using the first Wound Bed Conforming (WBC) WD.

METHODS

A budget impact model was developed based on in-vitro properties of vertical absorption. A US study (n=312,744) estimates that 99.9% of venous leg ulcers (VLU) and 99% of diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) are less than 2 cm in depth. A UK study (n=4,772) recorded that 2.4% of the VLUs and 14.4% DFUs are undermined in which case a WBC WD would not be capable of replacing a WF. Wound data from Germany (n=1,009) suggests that 37% of the VLUs and 50% of the DFUs that are not undermined nor deeper than 2 cm are superficial and does not require a WF. The rate of complicated filler removal at dressing change was estimated to be 1 in 4 adding on 5 minutes to the dressing change time. This analysis includes both Medicare payment levels as well as commercial reported hospital payment levels (GHX).

RESULTS

When switching from a traditional WD treatment regimen to a WBC WD regimen WF utilization decreases from 64% to 3% in VLUs and from 58% to 15% in DFUs. This corresponds to product cost reductions of 18%-48% depending on product cost perspective and wound type. Including the time spend on complicated filler removal the monthly dressing change costs are reduced by $38-131 per wound. Sensitivity analysis indicates that results are robust.

CONCLUSIONS

This model suggests that application of WBC WDs in VLUs and DFUs would save 18-73% of the wound dressing change costs depending on a product cost perspective only or also including time spend.