Using Negative Pressure Wound Therapy With Instillation to Cleanse Lower Extremity Wounds: Assessing Potential Cost Savings

In this poster presentation video, the presenter reports on the use of negative pressure wound therapy with instillation and dwell time in 3 cases of lower extremity wounds. Data from this poster were presented at the Symposium on Advanced Wound Care Fall in Las Vegas, Nevada (October 29-31, 2021).

For more information, see Using Negative Pressure Wound Therapy With Instillation to Cleanse Lower Extremity Wounds: Assessing Potential Cost Savings here.

Transcript

Hello. I'm Ralph Napolitano, a podiatrist and certified wound specialist physician with Ortho Neuro, a multispecialty orthopedic and neurology practice based out of Central Ohio. I'm also adjunct clinical faculty and a professor in the Department of Specialty Medicine at the Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Athens, Ohio.

Thank you very much for joining us today. No doubt all of us certainly want to deliver the best medical care to our patients, and it's hard to argue that we must deliver that medical care in an effective, cost-efficient way today.

That's what this poster and abstract looks at, specifically the technique of negative pressure with installation and dwell, and we take cost into consideration. We highlight 3 complex surgical cases. The first case is a gentleman, healthy, in his early 20s. He sustained a chemical burn to the right foot.

The second case is a gentleman with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, profound lymphedema, sustained a deep tissue laceration.

The third case is a gentleman, pretty healthy for his age, in his early 80s. He sustained a compartment syndrome sequela. He actually fell asleep in his power recliner. This last case is referenced in the Cureus Journal of Medical Science if you'd like to read further.

All patients received surgical care and appropriate antibiotic therapy and received negative pressure wound therapy with installation for approximately 6 to 7 days in the hospital setting, with dressing changes every 2 to 3 days.

After that point, they were transitioned to outpatient care with traditional negative pressure wound therapy. Now, despite initial costs upfront with this technique, if you look at what reoperation and readmission would cost, several thousand dollars, and approximately 2 to 3-fold increase.

For instance, in our geography, hospitalization and readmission costs anywhere from $3000 to $4000. In this case series, again, these patients didn't require readmission or reoperation, saving potential significant healthcare dollars.

Perhaps most importantly, saving patients pain and suffering with readmission, rehospitalization, or reoperation, which is certainly why we all do this. Thank you very much. Be well.