Mike Piskie

This peer-reviewed BMJ Quality & Safety cost-effectiveness study analyzed 34,000+ hospital patients and quantified the financial impact of severe pressure injuries. It reported that Stage 3–4 (full-thickness) pressure injuries add about $6,209 per patient-day, underscoring the high daily cost burden and the value of effective, hospital-wide prevention.

This analysis estimates the average incremental hospital cost is ~$10,708 per HAPI across all stages. Costs are concentrated in severe ulcers: Stage 3 and 4 injuries represent a small fraction of cases but account for about 59% of total HAPI costs, meaning severe, full-thickness ulcers consume the majority of spending.