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Pressure-reduction mattresses may reduce healthcare costs
08.18.2011
A recent discovery may change the way emergency medicine is administered to elderly patients. Researchers from the University of Toronto found that pressure-reduction mattresses could decrease the risk of bedsores in elderly patients in emergency departments, thereby reducing hospital healthcare costs."Most pressure ulcers are preventable, which is why the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services considers them a 'never event' and won't reimburse their treatment," said Ba' Pham, lead author on the study. "Upgrading mattress quality would save money and improve quality of life for elderly patients in emergency departments."
The study found that the prevention of bedsores is 81 percent effective in reducing costs. The average cost of upgrading beds would be about 30 cents a patient, while the projected savings come out to an estimated $32 a patient.
Study authors expressed hope that these beds will be implemented into emergency rooms, hospitals and urgent care facilities soon.
Categories: Emergency medicine
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