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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – One out of every five seniors in the United States is readmitted to the hospital within 30 days of being discharged, which is estimated to cost the health care system $15 billion annually1. With the rising cost of health care in large part due to increasing patient lifespans and the subsequent increasing incidence of chronic diseases, it has become paramount for hospital readmission rates to decrease. In fact, most readmissions are thought to be preventable, and one of the major reasons for readmissions is lack of care continuity during transitions that often includes incomplete patient education2,3. Poorly executed transitions from the hospital to other care settings cost an estimated $12 billion to $44 billion per year, and often result in poor health outcomes for patients4. As the demand on health care grows, the frequency and complexity of senior care transitions is only expected to rise.
Along with rising rates of obesity, chronic diseases including diabetes and venous disease, account for approximately 75% of annual health care costs in the US5. Chronic diseases often correspond with skin conditions and complications including chronic wounds. An estimated 2% of the population is living with chronic, non-healing wounds and the annual cost associated with caring for these wounds is more than $50 billion6. Impaired healing that occurs more frequently in aging and/or obese individuals can lead to more complicated and difficult chronic wounds in susceptible populations including those who are diabetic or venous insufficient7. Seniors with diabetes or venous disease often have chronic, non-healing wounds including foot or leg ulcers, respectively.
It’s estimated that 2.5 million Americans have chronic venous insufficiency that can result in venous ulcers8. In fact, 20% of individuals with chronic venous disease suffer from venous (stasis) ulcers, the most common type of leg ulceration9,10. Long-lasting stasis dermatitis causes approximately half of all chronic leg ulcers, and up to one third of patients experience four or more episodes of ulcer reoccurrence7,11. In comparison, diabetic patients represent almost 10% (over 29 million) of the US population and account for 23% of hospitalizations each year. The overall rate of early readmissions for individuals with diabetes is 8.5-13.5%, and diabetic foot ulcers and/or foot ulcer infections are among the primary causes for hospital admissions or readmissions12.
Individuals with diabetes and chronic venous disease are at risk for developing cellulitis, a bacterial infection of the dermis and subcutaneous fat often caused by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) including methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA)13,14. In fact, complicated skin and soft tissue infections are among the most rapidly increasing reasons for hospitalizations, and the rise in antibiotic resistance among skin pathogens, including hospital-acquired MRSA, has made treatments for chronic wounds and infections more difficult15. Moreover, poor transitions from hospital to home care settings often lead to fragmented care and hospital readmissions16, which can result in serious skin infections17 that could be avoided by applying the same skin care and protocols used in the hospital, at home. Over-the-counter (OTC) skin care products, such as At Home Viniferamine® products, provide patients with medical-grade skin care, in the comfort of their own home, where healing happens.
Patient education can be one of the most effective ways to help facilitate the transition between hospital and home care. With skin care playing an increasingly important role in patient transitions, patient education on proper skin care is critical. Seniors transitioning from hospital care to home care should take advantage of educational product booklets and skin care information provided when purchasing recommended products. By educating themselves on proper skin care, patients can help avoid chronic wounds and infections that could result in higher health care costs and hospital readmissions.
Many patients fail to care for their skin properly when transitioning from hospital care to home care, a critical time when complications including serious skin infections can easily arise. Patients should look for hospital-based products that provide cleansing, moisturizing, skin nutrition and skin protection, as well as hospital-based skin care protocols. By making skin care a top priority and using quality skin care products and protocols, seniors can avoid skin breakdown, wounds and infections. Moreover, hospitals can drastically reduce costs by eliminating the need to readmit patients seeking care for preventable skin and wound complications.
References
1. http://www.policymed.com/2012/08/cms-begins-penalizing-hospitals-for-readmissions.html.
2. BMJ 2013; 347: f7171.
3. Am J Manag Care 2015; 21: 440-450.
4. Ann Intern Med 2011; 155: 520-528.
5. Health Affairs 2014; 33: 194-199.
6. Wounds 2012; 24: 10-17.
7. Wound Rep Reg 2009; 17: 763-771.
8. Sem Vasc Surg 2015; 28: 21-28.
9. Am Fam Phys 2010; 81: 989-996.
10. Sem Vasc Surg 2015; 28: 6-14.
11. J Am Acad Dermatol 2009; 61: 1028-1032.
12. J Diabetes Complications 2014; 28: 869-873.
13. J Am Acad Dermatol 2012; 67: 163.e1-163.e12.
14. Am J Med 2011; 124: 1113-1122.
15. J Clin Microbiol 2012; 50: 238-245.
16. J Am Geriatr Soc 2014; 62: 1556-1561.
17. Ann Intern Med 2013; 158: ITC3-1.
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