A peer-reviewed study in the American Journal of Surgery found that treating a single Stage IV (full-thickness) pressure ulcer costs hospitals an average of $129,000 per admission, largely due to complications such as sepsis and organ failure. The authors concluded that early prevention and intervention are far more cost-effective than treatment after ulcer progression.
At the Johns Hopkins Burn Center, real-time pressure mapping reduced the hospital-acquired pressure injury rate by 44.4%, eliminated full-thickness pressure injuries, and lowered costs by 43.8%, demonstrating significant effectiveness in the burn ICU.
This peer-reviewed study found that when staff repositioned residents using feedback from a real-time pressure mapping system, peak interface pressures were significantly reduced (P = .016) and more preventive interventions were implemented (P = .012), demonstrating that pressure visualization directly improves the effectiveness of repositioning
“In a VA study of veterans with spinal cord injury, the presence of a pressure injury increased average health care costs by $77,587 compared to those without, driven by higher inpatient costs, emphasizing the need for prevention.”
In a 55-bed LTAC facility in North Texas, pressure mapping technology improved nursing practice, reducing average turn delays by 63% and median delays by 56%, thereby lowering risk of tissue damage.
Visual feedback from continuous bedside pressure mapping enabled caregivers to reposition patients more effectively, lowering high pressures and improving care
This peer-reviewed cost-effectiveness study, published in BMJ Quality & Safety, analyzed 34,000+ hospital patients and found that each stage 3, 4, or unstageable pressure injury costs $6,209 per patient, underscoring the financial burden of full-thickness wounds and the value of hospital-wide prevention
This national cost analysis, published in the International Wound Journal, found that the average cost to hospitals for a patient who develops any pressure injury is $10,708, with nearly 60% of that total driven by severe Stage 3 and 4 injuries. The data confirms that early intervention is essential to prevent low-grade injuries from escalating into high-cost cases.
Henry Ford Health System utilized real-time pressure mapping with visual feedback to enhance pressure ulcer prevention, confirming effective repositioning for patients and gaining acceptance from caregivers and patients. The technology showed immediate benefits in identifying and adjusting patient positions to prevent ulcer development.
At St. Anthony’s Medical Center, Continuous Bedside Pressure Mapping enabled use of lower-cost support surfaces, reducing reliance on specialty rentals and delivering net savings of $19 per patient per day after including the cost of the visualization system itself.