Revolutionising Pressure Injury Mitigation: Innovative Solutions for Better Care
While the global economic impact of pressure injuries has not yet been fully determined, it is well-known that these injuries are prevalent and affect patients in the community, aged and hospital settings.1-4 The additional significance of pressure injury is apparent as evidence suggests that pressure injuries and related complications can lead to death, although the precise nature of this relationship remains unclear.4 Australia is burdened with a $9.11 billion (AUD) total spend on pressure injuries from public hospitals yearly, determined by a prevalence of 12.9%.5 A substantial portion of the previously mentioned costs was attributed to increased hospital stays ($3.6 billion), representing a significant opportunity cost.5 It is also known that a hospitalisation of a mean of 4.3-day results for a pressure injury in Australia, encompassing extended inpatient care.6 The expense of treating each patient for a pressure injury can vary from $3,600 to $151,700.1,6 According to a 2007 Medicare estimate, each pressure injury increased hospitalisation costs by an additional $43,180. Reducing preventable pressure injuries therefore has the potential to lead to substantial cost savings for Australia, however, one could argue that the largest cost of pressure injury both globally and in Australia, is the reduced quality of life experienced by those suffering.5,7-11
