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- Title
INTRODUCING LEG ULCER TELEMEDICINE INTO RURAL GENERAL PRACTICE.
- Authors
Summerhayes, Christina; Mcgee, Janet A.; Cooper, Robin J.; Ghauri, A. Saboor K.; Ranaboldo, Charles J.
- Abstract
Background: Leg ulcers are a common problem and the cause of significant morbidity. Their treatment is estimated to cost £600m per year, placing an enormous burden on NHS resources. The introduction of a telemedicine system for the care of leg ulcers has the potential to reduce ulcer duration, total care episode cost and patient cost. Aims: To look at the impact of introducing a leg ulcer telemedicine (LUTM, SAASoft Ltd) system on conventional leg ulcer care in a rural general practice. Methods: A retrospective analysis was undertaken of all patients presenting with a non-healing wound on their lower leg (knee to malleolus) of at least one month's duration in one rural general practice between December 2006 and December 2007. Patient, primary care and secondary care costs were compiled. Following this baseline audit, a telemedicine system was introduced and the same data was collected prospectively for a further year. Results: After the introduction of LUTM, patient travel cost fell (from £68 to £49 per patient), primary care cost remained unchanged (from £357 to £353 per patient), secondary care cost increased (from £226 to £263 per patient) and procedure cost remained the same. GP input fell from 83% to 24% of patients and secondary care involvement rose from 45% to 60% of patients. The median time for the healing for leg ulcers was reduced from 105 to 70 days. Conclusion: The introduction of LUTM to this rural general practice improved leg ulcer care through improved communication, assessment and treatment, objective evidence of response to treatment and increased secondary care involvement. This has resulted in faster healing rates and is cost-effective. As a result of these findings, the authors intend to introduce LUTM to local general practices across the region.
- Publication
Wounds UK, 2012, Vol 8, Issue 2, p28
- ISSN
1746-6814
- Publication type
Academic Journal