It can be costly to take care of diabetic wounds. Recent studies have shown that chronic wounds affect nearly 15 percent of all Medicare beneficiaries, making them one of the most common ailments among older patients. Between inpatient and outpatient care, billions of dollars are spent each year to take care of chronic wounds and diabetic wounds.
Using the right type of wound dressing for the situation can help the healing process go quicker and help patients manage their pain. The quicker and more fully a wound can heal, the less cost there will be in taking care of it.
Hy-Tape can help in the diabetic wound healing process. Hy-Tape is a powerful adhesive tape that can keep wound dressings in place while keeping moisture out. It’s also designed to allow for comfortable movement without irritating the skin.
Cost data surrounding diabetic wound care
Studies have shown that diabetic wound care can be very costly in the long run. A study from 2018 provided a few facts about the overall costs of diabetic wound care in the United States:
- Medicare beneficiaries – Nearly 15 percent of all Medicare beneficiaries have suffered from nonhealing wounds. Over 8 million people on Medicare regularly have to deal with caring for chronic wounds, applying wound dressings, and ensuring their wounds heal as best as possible.
- Types of ulcers – When it comes to specific types of wounds being treated, the study determined that arterial ulcers and pressure ulcers were the most common.
- Diabetic foot ulcers – Many diabetes patients suffer from issues of the feet, including foot ulcers. The most expensive estimate for diabetic foot ulcer costs ranges from 6.2 billion to 18.7 billion dollars annually. (Read: Diabetic Foot Ulcers: Topical Management Strategies)
- Total cost of all wounds – Among all Medicare beneficiaries, chronic wounds have led to major bills. Estimates of total chronic wound care for Medicare patients range from 28.1 billion to 96.8 billion dollars annually.
Diabetic wound care is a very expensive problem for those who suffer from these health issues. Controlling the cost of care is vital to ensure the best treatment.
One of the best ways to control costs is with proper wound dressings. When wounds are dressed properly, healing can happen much quicker. Hy-Tape is an adhesive material that helps keep wound dressings in place. It provides a waterproof seal that keeps the wound clean, as well as a firm hold that still allows for comfortable movement.
Keeping a diabetic wound or ulcer properly dressed at all times can make a huge difference in the cost of care.
Factors that raise costs of wound care
There are a lot of aspects of diabetic wound care that can lead to higher costs of care over time. A few of these factors include:
- Improper wound dressing – Each wound is different and will need a specific type of dressing for the skin to heal. Using the wrong dressing can delay the repair or even add to the damage.
- Lack of monitoring – Diabetic wounds and sores will heal at different rates depending on a variety of factors. Caregivers need to regularly monitor the progress of the healing to ensure that long-term care doesn’t need to start over.
- Too much monitoring – On the other side of the issue, overmonitoring can also cause diabetic wounds to heal slower. Removing and replacing wound dressings on a daily basis may be unnecessary and even damaging. Allowing the wound the proper amount of time to heal can drive down the overall cost of care.
- Insurance issues – As with any type of medical care, it’s important to know what will be covered by insurance. Depending on a patient’s health plan, they may or may not have to cover some or all of their diabetic wound care bills.
Keeping these factors in mind when taking care of diabetic wounds is essential to keeping costs under control. Long-term care can become very costly over time, but there are many ways to keep the costs low while providing quality care.
Learn more about Money and Wound Care – The Value of More Secure Dressings
Proper dressing can lower overall costs
The most important part of taking care of a diabetic wound is to properly secure the dressing. A wound dressing that comes loose or allows moisture to enter can cause continual problems and therefore higher costs.
Hy-Tape is a high-grade medical adhesive that can hold any wound dressing in place. The material features a strong adhesive that ensures the wound dressing won’t shift. At the same time, the adhesive does not irritate the skin but allows for comfortable movement without coming loose.
Hy-Tape is also waterproof, keeping moisture away from the wound. Maintaining a dry area can be vital for the long-term repair of the skin.
Whether a patient or a caregiver, diabetic wounds need proper dressing and adhesion, caregivers agree that using Hy-Tape to keep your wound dressings in place can safe everyone time and money.