OBJECTIVES: Health authorities worldwide increasingly closely monitor pressure ulcers (PU). PUs can be considered a public health issue, since they represent a significant burden on the health and social care system, which could be reduced through proper patient management and early diagnosis in inpatient setting. A new portable device developed by Bruin Biometrics LCC aims at detecting sub-epidermal moisture changes, thus facilitating PU early detection. METHODS: A costing model was developed to capture the expected cost of care and the potential payback stemming from new device deployment over a 3-year time horizon in Scotland. Daily cost of care for PU (including potential complications), length of stay and probability of complications were derived from the literature including a cost breakdown in labor and material costs. A comparison was performed between the scenarios with and without the new device, based on assumptions on early diagnosis rates and grade I PU prevention for the diagnostic tool. Number of PU cases and associated costs of care were derived in both scenarios. RESULTS: Based on the assumption that the new device would prevent 80% of early stage PU episodes, 10,813 annual cases are expected to be averted in the 1^st year following the deployment of the device. After deducting the costs associated to the new device, this would entail cost savings of almost £55M in 1^st year (£35M of which imputable to labor) and £177M over 3 years. CONCLUSIONS: Based on this study, the initial cost associated to the purchase of the new device would be offset by the savings stemming from reduced costs of care due to reduced number of PU cases. Savings would be generated from the 1^st year and expected to grow in the following ones.