Cost-Effectiveness of Wound Care: A concept analysis

Abstract

This review aimed to analyse the concept of cost-effectiveness within the context of chronic wound care using Walker and Avant’s approach. The Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature® (EBSCO Information Services, Ipswich, Massachusetts, USA), MEDLINE® (National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland, USA) and Nursing & Allied Health® (ProQuest LLC, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA) databases were searched using a combination of keywords. A total of 18 peer-reviewed articles were identified. In wound care, defining attributes for the concept of cost-effectiveness encompassed treatments which were both effective and economical. Four antecedents were identified, including the type of wound, care setting, type of dressing and patient-related characteristics. The consequences of cost-effective wound care were patient prognosis, quality of life, the economic burden on the patient and healthcare system and cost-savings. These findings will hopefully help to standardise cost-effectiveness terminology among nursing professionals in various healthcare settings.

Keywords: Cost Effectiveness; Wounds and Injuries; Healthcare Costs; Nursing; Concept Formation.