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The cost

Once a wound is infected, it’s too late to prevent it

People suffering from chronic wounds or complications from acute wounds are affected in many ways. Pain, anxiety and depression have been reported, as well as limitations due to dressing changes. Troublesome symptoms, such as wound secretion and odor, may lead to isolation. In some cases, individuals also face the financial burden of travel costs, sick leave and the cost of dressings and compression therapy.

The human and economic cost of surgical site infections

Surgical site infections (SSI) are a huge health problem worldwide. SSI is a common postoperative complication in vascular, obstetric, gynecologic, gastric, thoracic, and cardiovascular surgery. It prolongs hospitalization and contributes to significant morbidity and mortality.[1]View reference information [2]View reference information

SSIs associated with the increase in antibiotic resistance have also become a therapeutic challenge for physicians worldwide.

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Woman walking alone on the beach next to a silhouette of a man. Text in image: Then it really starts to cost.

The human and economic cost of chronic wounds

Most chronic wounds are ulcers associated with ischemia, diabetes mellitus, venous stasis disease, or pressure. This poses a health problem with devastating consequences for patients’ quality of life. It also results in major costs for the healthcare system and society.

Chronic wounds account for approximately 2–4% of the healthcare budget.[7]View reference information Costs related to treatment, such as dressings, contribute a minor part of the total cost. Treatment costs increase substantially with wound severity, driven primarily by the management of wound complications (e.g. local or systemic infections). Infections delay wound healing and can lead to hospitalization.

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A leg with an outlined shape of an amputated foot. Text in image: Every 20 seconds a diabetic foot is amputated due to infection*

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References

  1. WHO. 2011. Report on the burden of endemic health care-associated infection worldwide. Geneva: World Health Organization.

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  2. European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. 2013. Point prevalence survey of healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial use in European acute care hospitals. Stockholm: ECDC.

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  3. Joint Commission Center for Transforming Healthcare. 2020. Surgical Site infections. Joint Commission Center for Transforming Healthcare.

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  4. Leaper DJ, van Goor H, et al. 2004. Surgical site infection – a European perspective of incidence and economic burden. Int Wound J. 1(4):247–273.

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  5. European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. 2013. Point prevalence survey of healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial use in European acute care hospitals. Stockholm: ECDC.

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  6. Leaper DJ, van Goor H, et al. 2004. Surgical site infection – a European perspective of incidence and economic burden. Int Wound J. 1(4):247–273.

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  7. Posnett J, Gottrup F, et al. 2009. The resource impact of wounds on healthcare providers in Europe. J Wound Care. 18(4):154-161.

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