Paper Title
COST REDUCTION OF BED ULCERS AMONG HOME HEALTH CARE PATIENTS

Abstract
Bed Ulcers among HHC patients were selected as one of the top priority areas for quality improvement intervention in relation to its cost and problem-prone to the patient and health care service, and with a total number of active patients 2871 in 2022 received by HHC, on average 84 wounds per month. It had been reported that pressure ulcers were the largest proportion of patient safety incidents in 2011/2012, accounting for 19% of all reports. It has been acknowledged that a significant roportion of pressure ulcers are avoidable (NHS Stop the Pressure). Annually, approximately 60,000 patients die as a direct result of pressure ulcers. Patients living with pressure ulcers suffer the burden of pain and decreased quality of life. The cost of treating a pressure ulcer depends on its severity, with estimates generally ranging from $ 2,000-$20,000 per ulcer. Home Health Care (HHC) at PSMMC, selected as one of the top priority areas for quality improvement intervention in relation to its cost and problem-prone to the patient and health care services. The Braden scale risk assessment tool has been used for home health care patients' pressure ulcer assessment on admission immediately at the time of initial assessment after admission to HHC, frequently within every visit and in between visits by the patient caregiver to compare the cost and evaluate the cost reduction in managing bed ulcer to HHC patients. The Braden scale risk assessment tool has been used for home health care patients' pressure ulcer assessment on admission immediately at the time of initial assessment after admission to HHC, frequently within every visit and in between visits by the patient caregiver. Launched in 2019 by complete implementation of the Braden scale risk assessment tool as a part of the wound care management program aiming to develop a baseline explaining the current status of bed ulcers and wound progress in 2019 within the Home Health Care settings. From 2020- 2023 by close monitoring of the implementation of the Braden scale risk assessment tool aiming to reduce the cost of wound care management and cost saving by prevention measures. The cost reduction within the past 3 years after intervention is 3,925,000$ approximately 14,718,750 SR. Pressure Ulcers are a major healthcare problem with consequent costs and burden on the healthcare system. Risk reduction by the Branden Risk Assessment tool was successful in reducing the incidence and cut-off time of care per ulcer. The use of the Branden Risk Assessment tool is helpful in reducing rates and costs of care for pressure ulcers.