Venous leg ulcer management in clinical practice in the UK: costs and outcomes

The aim of this study was to estimate the patterns of care and annual levels of health care resource use attributable to managing venous leg ulcers (VLUs) in clinical practice by the UK's National Health Service (NHS) and the associated costs of patient management. This was a retrospective cohort analysis of the records of 505 patients in The Health Improvement Network (THIN) Database. Patients' characteristics, wound‐related health outcomes and health care resource use were quantified, and the total NHS cost of patient management was estimated at 2015/2016 prices. Overall, 53% of all VLUs healed within 12 months, and the mean time to healing was 3·0 months. 13% of patients were never prescribed any recognised compression system, and 78% of their wounds healed. Of the 87% who were prescribed a recognised compression system, 52% of wounds healed. Patients were predominantly managed in the community by nurses with minimal clinical involvement of specialist clinicians. Up to 30% of all the VLUs may have been clinically infected at the time of presentation, and only 22% of patients had an ankle brachial pressure index documented in their records. The mean NHS cost of wound care over 12 months was an estimated £7600 per VLU. However, the cost of managing an unhealed VLU was 4·5 times more than that of managing a healed VLU (£3000 per healed VLU and £13 500 per unhealed VLU). This study provides important insights into a number of aspects of VLU management in clinical practice that have been difficult to ascertain from other studies and provides the best estimate available of NHS resource use and costs with which to inform policy and budgetary decisions.     

不同敷料组合对烧伤患者供皮区创面微环境的影响

目的 了解不同敷料组合对烧伤创面微环境及愈合的影响.方法 选择烧伤后需行手术植皮的患者186例,供皮区创面取皮厚度均为0.3 mm.将200个供皮区创面按表格随机法进行分组,分为藻酸盐棉垫组(藻酸盐敷料+棉垫)、凡士林棉垫组(凡士林油纱+棉垫)、藻酸盐泡沫组(藻酸盐敷料+泡沫敷料)、凡士林泡沫组(凡七林油纱+泡沫敷料).观察各种敷料对患者创面水分蒸发量及pH值的影响,比较各组创面的细菌定植情况、揭除敷料时患者疼痛程度及创面愈合时间.结果 共有184例患者的198个创面完成试验全过程,4种组合敷料可造成不同的创面微环境.藻酸盐棉垫组、凡士林棉垫组、藻酸盐泡沫组、凡士林泡沫组患者创面的敷料表面水分蒸发量分别为(35.5±3.2)、(31.3±2.8)、(23.1±2.9)、(18.1±2.3)mL·h-1·m-2,保湿性能以凡士林泡沫组为佳;创面pH值分别为7.22±0.06、7.41±0.03、7.05±0.03、7.34±0.06.创面细菌培养阳性率以藻酸盐泡沫组(4.0%)最低,凡士林泡沫组(22.4%)最高.揭除患者创面敷料时疼痛程度以藻酸盐泡沫组最轻(0.98±0.12),凡士林棉垫组最重(8.14±0.82).创面愈合时间藻酸盐泡沫组最短,为(6.7±0.8)d;凡士林泡沫组最长,为(15.6±3.5)d.结论 不同敷料在同样创面上使用,会营造不同的创面微环境;该环境与创面愈合时间密切相关,湿度对创面愈合的影响比pH值更为重要.     

Emergency pediatric surgery: Comparing the economic burden in specialized versus nonspecialized children's centers

Background

The American College of Surgeons has developed a verification program for children's surgery centers. Highly specialized hospitals may be verified as Level I, while those with fewer dedicated resources as Level II or Level III, respectively. We hypothesized that more specialized children's centers would utilize more resources.

Comparison of three different methods to estimate the burden of disease of burn injuries in Western Australia in 2011-2018

BackgroundPriority setting and resource allocation in health care, surveillance and interventions is based increasingly on burden of disease. Several methods exist to calculate the non-fatal burden of disease of burns expressed in years lived with disability (YLDs). The aim of this study was to assess the burden of disease due to burns in Western Australia 2011–2018 and compare YLD outcomes between three existing methods.MethodsData from the Burns Service of Western Australia was used. Three existing methods to assess YLDs were compared: the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) method, a method dedicated to assess injury YLDs (Injury-VIBES), and a method dedicated to assess burns YLDs (INTEGRIS-burns).ResultsIncidence data from 2,866 burn patients were used. Non-fatal burden of disease estimates differed substantially between the different methods. Estimates for 2011–2018 ranged between 610 and 1,085 YLDs per 100.000 based on the Injury-VIBES method; between 209 and 324 YLDs based on the INTEGRIS-burns method; and between 89 and 120 YLDs based on the GBD method. YLDs per case were three to nine times higher when the Injury-VIBES method was applied compared to the other methods. Also trends in time differed widely through application of the different methods. There was a strong increase in YLDs over the years when the Injury-VIBES method was applied, a slight increase when the INTEGRIS-burns method was applied and a stable pattern when the GBD method was applied.ConclusionThis study showed that the choice for a specific method heavily influences the non-fatal burden of disease expressed in YLDs, both in terms of annual estimates as well as in trends over time. By addressing the methodological limitations evident in previously published calculations of the non-fatal burden of disease, the INTEGRIS-burns seems to present a method to provide the most robust estimates to date, as it is the only method adapted to the nature of burn injuries and their recovery.     

The economic and workload impact of 'backdoor' prostate-specific antigen screening on the UK National Health Service: a single-centre experience

OBJECTIVE

To determine the economic burden and additional cost on one hospital within the UK National Health Service secondary to prostate‐specific antigen screening by a private recruitment company for a clinical drug trial.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Data were reviewed from all patients who were excluded from the trial and referred across by the recruitment company between May 2004 and April 2005. The additional cost for all their investigation and treatment was calculated.

RESULTS

There were 87 interventional procedures (transrectal prostate biopsy, radical prostatectomy and radical radiotherapy), 27 diagnostic scans (magnetic resonance Imaging and bone scan) and 240 additional outpatient visits (new and follow‐up) over the 1‐year period. The calculated cost was approximately £271 500.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the significant increase in the workload and financial burden in one centre within the UK National Health Service. Many other hospitals are likely to be in a similar situation and the total cost to the health service will be much greater.     

Health economic benefits of cyanoacrylate skin protectants in the management of superficial skin lesions

Superficial skin damages, including stage II pressure ulcer, skin tears and moisture‐associated skin damages (MASDs) are common and constitute a significant disease burden to the health care system. A cost analysis was conducted by comparing a cyanoacrylate barrier film with routine care in the treatment of superficial skin damages in a chronic care facility. The analysis included 12 patients: four patients with stage II pressure ulcers, six with MASD and two with skin tears. Cost analysis was conducted comparing the cost of care 7 days before and 7 days after the acrylate barrier was used. The total cost took into consideration the time, products and supplies required to manage the skin problem.     

The recommendations of the French National Authority for Health on negative pressure wound therapy

Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) cannot be assessed by experts without the guarantee of randomised trials validated by the French National Authority for Health (HAS). NPWT techniques are recommended by the HAS, under certain conditions, in hospital surgical departments with home hospital follow-up care.     

The influence of different sizes and types of wound fillers on wound contraction and tissue pressure during negative pressure wound therapy

Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) contracts the wound and alters the pressure in the tissue of the wound edge, which accelerates wound healing. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of the type (foam or gauze) and size (small or large) of wound filler for NPWT on wound contraction and tissue pressure. Negative pressures between --20 and --160 mmHg were applied to a peripheral porcine wound (n = 8). The pressure in the wound edge tissue was measured at distances of 0·1, 0·5, 1·0 and 2·0 cm from the wound edge and the wound diameter was determined. At 0·1 cm from the wound edge, the tissue pressure decreased when NPWT was applied, whereas at 0·5 cm it increased. Tissue pressure was not affected at 1·0 or 2·0 cm from the wound edge. The tissue pressure, at 0·5 cm from the wound edge, was greater when using a small foam than when using than a large foam. Wound contraction was greater when using a small foam than when using a large foam during NPWT. Gauze resulted in an intermediate wound contraction that was not affected by the size of the gauze filler. The use of a small foam to fill the wound causes considerable wound contraction and may thus be used when maximal mechanical stress and granulation tissue formation are desirable. Gauze or large amounts of foam result in less wound contraction which may be beneficial, for example when NPWT causes pain to the patient.     

Use of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to Calculate the Impact of Obesity and Diabetes on Cost and Prevalence of Urolithiasis in 2030

Background

The prevalence of urolithiasis and its risk factors such as obesity and diabetes have increased over time.

Objective

Determine the future cost and prevalence of kidney stones using current and projected estimates for stones, obesity, diabetes, and population rates.

Design, setting, and participants

The stone prevalence in 2000 was estimated from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1988–1994 and 2007–2010. The cost per percentage prevalence of stones in 2000, calculated using Urologic Diseases in America Project data, was used to estimate the annual cost of stones in 2030, adjusting for inflation and increases in population, stone prevalence, obesity and diabetes rates.

Outcome measurements and statistical analysis

The primary outcome was prevalence and cost of stones in 2030. The secondary outcomes were the impact of obesity and diabetes on these values, calculated using odds ratios for stones by body mass index and diabetes status.

Results and limitations

The annual cost of stone disease in 2000, adjusted for inflation to 2014 US dollars, was approximately $2.81 billion. After accounting for increases in population and stone prevalence from 2000, the estimated cost of stones in 2007 in 2014 US dollars was $3.79 billion. Future population growth alone would increase the cost of stone disease by $780 million in 2030. Based on projected estimates for 2030, obesity will independently increase stone prevalence by 0.36%, with an annual cost increase of $157 million. Diabetes will independently increase stone prevalence by 0.72%, associated with a cost increase of $308 million annually by 2030. NHANES data, however, capture patient self-assessment rather than medical diagnosis, which is a potential bias.

Conclusions

The rising prevalence of obesity and diabetes, together with population growth, is projected to contribute to dramatic increases in the cost of urolithiasis, with an additional $1.24 billion/yr estimated by 2030.

Patient summary

Obesity, diabetes, and population rates will contribute to an estimated $1.24 billion/yr increase in the cost of kidney stones by 2030.     

Early Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Service Provision is Feasible and Safe in the Current UK National Health Service

INTRODUCTION

Despite increasing evidence of the benefits and safety of early laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in acute gallstone disease, it is not widely practised in England. The Royal College of Surgeons of England support the separation of emergency and elective surgical care. The aim of this prospective study was to examine the impact of the implementation of ‘Surgeon of the Week (SoW)’ model on the number of early LCs performed and the efficiency of the emergency theatre activity in our hospital. This study also looked into its implications on specialist registrar training for early LC, and the financial impact to the hospital.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between January 2007 and May 2008, demographic data, admission and discharge dates, complications, conversions to an open operation and deaths were collected for all patients who underwent early laparoscopic cholecystectomies. For ease of comparison, patients were divided into Group A representing before introduction of SoW (1 January 2007 to 30 August 2007) and Group B representing after introduction of SoW (1 October 2007 to 31 May 2008). The total numbers of operations performed in the emergency theatre list in the two groups were also calculated.

RESULTS

A total of 1361 emergency operations were performed on the emergency theatre list in Group A, of which 951 were general surgical procedures. In Group B, the numbers of emergency procedures were 1537, of which 1138 were general surgical operations. There was a significant increase in the number of general surgical operations after introduction of SoW (P = 0.013). Before introduction of the SoW rota, 45 early LCs were performed. This increased to 118 after SoW which was significant (P < 0.001). In Group A, the number of early LCs performed by surgical trainees was 10 (22%). In Group B, the number of LCs performed by surgical trainees was 35 (30%; not significant).

CONCLUSIONS

This study has demonstrated an increase in the efficiency of the emergency theatre with an increase in the number of early LCs on their index admission without extra morbidity following implementation of the SOW model in our hospital. We recommend the introduction of a suitable emergency surgical consultant on-call model separating emergency and elective surgical care depending on local circumstances. This can lead to significant cost savings and reduce re-admissions with gallstone-related complications.     

表皮生长因子与碱性成纤维细胞生长因子促进创面修复的比较研究

目的　比较重组人表皮生长因子 (rhEGF)与重组人碱性成纤维细胞生长因子 (rhbFGF)促进创面修复的效应及其作用机制。　方法　选用 12只大耳白兔 2 4只耳上的 72个创面 ,随机分为rhEGF(10 μg/cm2 )治疗组、rhbFGF(10 0AU/cm2 )治疗组和对照组 (涂以 1%磺胺嘧啶银霜 )。观察创面的愈合情况 ,分别取不同时段的标本进行病理学、电镜检查 ,并通过原位杂交检测标本中整合素 β1mRNA的表达情况。　结果　两治疗组整合素 β1mRNA的表达明显高于对照组 ;创面修复的时间明显比对照组快 ,且修复质量较对照组高 (P <0 .0 5 ) ;成纤维细胞数和毛细血管胚芽数与对照组比较差异有显著性意义 (P <0 .0 5 )。　结论　rhEGF、rhbFGF均能提高创面修复质量 ,在修复早、中期使用rhbFGF能促进肉芽组织生长 ;中、晚期使用rhEGF能加速创面的再上皮化。根据时效 ,联合应用rhEGF、rhbFGF可获得最佳效价比。     

Clinical and economic burden of wound care in the tropics: a 5‐year institutional population health review

The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical and economic burden of wound care in the Tropics via a 5‐year institutional population health review. Within our data analysis, wounds are broadly classified into neuro‐ischaemic ulcers (NIUs), venous leg ulcers (VLUs), pressure injuries (PIs), and surgical site infections (SSIs). Between 2013 and 2017, there were a total of 56 583 wound‐related inpatient admissions for 41 461 patients, with a 95.1% increase in wound episodes per 1000 inpatient admissions over this period (142 and 277 wound episodes per 1000 inpatient admissions in 2013 and 2017, respectively). In 2017, the average length of stay for each wound episode was 17.7 days, which was 2.4 times that of an average acute admission at our institution. The average gross charge per wound episode was USD $12 967. Among the 12 218 patients with 16 674 wound episodes in 2017, 71.5% were more than 65 years of age with an average Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) of 7.2. Half (51.9%) were moderately or severely frail, while 41.3% had two or more wound‐related admission episodes. In 2017, within our healthcare cluster, the gross healthcare costs for all inpatient wound episodes stand at USD $216 million within hospital care and USD $596 000 within primary care. Most NIU patients (97.2%) had diabetes and they had the most comorbidities (average CCI 8.4) and were the frailest group of patients (44.9% severely frail). The majority of the VLU disease burden was at the specialist outpatient setting, with the average 1‐year VLU recurrence rate at 52.5% and median time between healing and recurrence at 9.5 months. PI patients were the oldest (86.5% more than 65 years‐old), constituted the largest cohort of patients with 3874 patients at an incidence of 64.6 per 1000 admissions in 2017, and have a 1‐year all‐cause mortality rate of 14.3%. For SSI patients, there was a 125% increase of 14.2 SSI wound episodes per 1000 inpatient admissions in 2013 to 32.0 in 2017, and a 413% increase in wound‐related 30‐day re‐admissions, from 40 in 2013 (4.1% of all surgeries) to 205 (8.3% of all surgeries) in 2017. The estimated gross healthcare cost per patient ranges from USD $15789–17 761 across the wound categories. Similar to global data, there is a significant and rising trend in the clinical and economic burden of wound care in Tropics.     

战伤性腹壁缺损两种修补方法的动物实验

目的寻求战伤腹壁大块缺损的修补方法。方法36只成年杂种犬制作腹部开放伤动物模型后,随机分为两组,分别以脱细胞真皮基质（acellular dermis matrices,ADM）、聚丙烯补片（polypropylene mesh,PPM）进行修补。两组分别于术后1、3、6个月时取材行扫描电镜检查。结果全部动物无伤口裂开、无腹壁疝形成,ADM修补组脏面均未与内脏粘连,PPM修补组均与内脏粘连。电镜照片可见ADM更有利于胶原纤维增生,并且逐渐降解吸收被胶原纤维替代;PPM一直存在,周围纤维组织覆盖、粘连,逐渐增殖,生长速度较慢。结论ADM用于战伤腹壁缺损的修复,其有效性等同于PPM,优于传统修复方法,安全性优于PPM。     

Health economic assessment of negative pressure wound therapy use in the management of subcutaneous abdominal wound healing impairment (SAWHI) in the out-of-hospital setting

Development of subcutaneous abdominal wound healing impairment (SAWHI) can greatly affect patient care. Complications from SAWHI include delayed healing, increased risk of infection, and fascial dehiscence resulting in increased patient care and associated costs. Treatment options include conventional wound treatment or negative pressure wound therapy, both of which can be used in the out-of-hospital setting. However, limited published evidence on cost-effectiveness exists. A conservative health economic model was created to assess the cost–benefit of negative pressure wound therapy in the out-of-hospital setting for the management of SAWHI. Study data from a published multicentre randomised controlled trial were used and represented 221 patients that received care in the out-of-hospital setting. The mean per-patient total cost within 42 days was slightly higher in the negative pressure wound therapy group (2034.98 € versus 1918.91 €); however, when wound closure rates were considered, a cost savings of 4155.98 € per closed wound was observed with the use of negative pressure wound therapy (4324.34 € versus 8480.32 €). A cost-effectiveness analysis was constructed, and negative pressure wound therapy was observed to have a lower cost of care and a higher incremental closure rate.     

两种银敷料对慢性伤口愈合及渗液酸碱度影响的比较

目的比较两种银敷料辅助治疗慢性感染伤口的效果及对伤口渗液酸碱度的影响,以指导银敷料在慢性伤口治疗中的合理使用。方法将糖尿病足溃疡、压疮、下肢静脉溃疡、创伤性溃疡、烧伤残余创面5类慢性伤口患者104例随机分为A、B两组,每组52例。两组患者均按照统一方法评估、清洗和清创后,A组使用银离子藻酸盐敷料、B组使用纳米银敷料,分别接受30d的伤口局部辅助治疗。观察比较两组伤口治疗前及治疗后不同时间段的伤口愈合评分及渗液pH值。结果随着治疗时间的延长,两组伤口愈合计分和渗液pH值均较治疗前下降,A组患者伤口愈合计分显著优于B组(P0.01);两组伤口渗液pH值比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论两种银敷料辅助治疗慢性感染伤口均能促进伤口愈合,但银离子藻酸盐敷料的效果更优;两种银敷料均能降低伤口渗液pH值且作用相当。