Shifting the distribution curve for healthcare resource use through topical oxygen therapy for wound healing

Abstract

The clinical and economic burden associated with hard-to-heal wounds is high and evidence suggests that it continues to increase. Healthcare resources consumed during the provision of wound care can be saved by implementing strategies and actions aimed at promoting wound healing. When these are successful, the frequency distribution curve for time to healing and for the consumption of healthcare resources should ‘move to the left’ and the extent to which it is ‘skewed to the right’ would be reduced, resulting in a reduction in the population mean for time to wound healing, and correspondingly, healthcare resources. Not only would this release healthcare resources in the short term, but, if these changes are maintained, would render savings sustainable, thereby contributing to lowering the overall burden of wounds and wound care. In this article, we present evidence that suggests that the adoption of adjunct topical haemoglobin spray can effect these desired changes in the wound healing curve and, due to the nature of the technology, it can be easily and sustainably implemented within relevant whole populations requiring wound care. The ease of adoption and impact is further illustrated by a patient case study.