The publication of Guest et al’s study on the economic burden that acute and chronic wounds have on the NHS has provided a national picture and a better understanding of the true cost of wound care (Guest et al, 2015).
One thousand patients’ notes held within the Health Improvement Network (THIN) database were retrospectively examined and cost differences between having a wound or not were analysed. Indeed, from assessing wound care service delivery and costs for the year 2012/13, based on 2013/14 prices, the study estimated that the cost amounted to £5.3 billion, which is on a par with obesity treatment costs. The study also identified that the majority of wound care takes place in a community setting and is nurse-led. Guest et al (2015) has been cited in several recent studies and has even been raised in a debate in the house of Lords. The study also suggested that a ‘high proportion of wounds were unclassified’, highlighting shortcomings in undertaking wound assessment and accurate documentation.
