Industry Data

Among 676,435 hospitalized patients with pressure ulcers, median length of stay was 7 days versus 3 days for those without - more than double. Hospital stays involving a pressure ulcer may incur additional annual charges of up to $700,000. Patients with PIs were significantly more likely to have longer stays, higher charges, and worse outcomes across every measured variable. Read Full Article

This 2020 national hospital database study concluded that each hospital-acquired pressure injury added about $21,767 in hospital cost per patient versus no pressure injury, equal to about $30,000 in 2026 dollars. Read Full Article

Overall, the annual prevalence of pressure injuries and annual mean hospitalization cost increased ($69,499.29 to $102,939.14). Read Full Article

AHRQ HCUP data show pressure-ulcer–related adult hospitalizations carried materially higher utilization and cost: mean stay 12.7–14.1 days vs 5.0 days without pressure ulcers, and mean cost per stay $16,800–$20,400 vs $9,900. Over half were discharged to long-term care, and mortality was higher. Read Full Article

This University of Alabama at Birmingham hospital study found that developing a hospital-acquired Stage II+ pressure ulcer was associated with substantially higher hospital costs and longer stays. Mean unadjusted costs were $37,288 vs $13,924 and LOS 30.4 vs 12.8 days. Even after adjustment, costs and LOS remained significantly higher. Read Full Article

This peer-reviewed University of Florida study found that after repositioning, elevated sacral pressure persisted in over 95% of turns, leaving patients at ongoing pressure injury risk. The findings show that turning alone does not reliably offload pressure and that pressure visualization is needed to confirm effective offloading. Read Full Article

This UAB tertiary teaching-hospital study found that patients who developed hospital-acquired pressure ulcers incurred substantially higher costs and longer stays. Adjusted analyses showed costs of $29,048 vs $13,819 and length of stay of 20.9 vs 12.7 days, confirming pressure ulcers independently drive excess inpatient utilization beyond baseline severity. Read Full Article

This study from NYU School of Medicine found Stage IV pressure ulcers cost about $125k–$129k per patient in hospital treatment costs when ulcer-related complications were included. These costs are far higher than prior estimates and emphasize early recognition and treatment to stop progression to Stage IV and avoid extreme, non-reimbursed “never event” costs. Read Full Article

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. Read Full Article

This 2019 study estimated that each hospital-acquired pressure injury adds about $10,708 per patient on average (≈ $14,500 today), calculated by distributing the total national HAPI cost burden across all patients who develop a HAPI, contributing to $26.8 billion annually (≈ $36.5 billion today). Read Full Article