Modelling the cost-effectiveness of subepidermal moisture measurement as part of a process of assessment and intervention to prevent hospital-acquired pressure ulcers

Skin tissue assessment is traditionally used to identify early signs of pressure damage from changes observed at the skin surface. However, the early onset of tissue damage induced by pressure and shear forces is likely to be on soft tissues beneath the surface of the skin. Subepidermal moisture (SEM) is a biophysical marker for the detection of early and deep pressure-induced tissue damage. Measurement of SEM can detect early pressure ulcers up to 5 days before visible skin changes occur. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of SEM measurement compared with visual skin assessment (VSA). A decision-tree model was developed. Outcomes are the incidence of hospital-acquired pressure ulcers, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) and costs to the UK National Health Service. Costs are at 2020/21 prices. The effects of parameter uncertainty are tested in univariate and probabilistic sensitivity analysis. In a representative NHS acute hospital, the incremental cost of SEM assessment as an adjunct to VSA is -8.99 pound per admission, and SEM assessment is expected to reduce the incidence of hospital-acquired pressure ulcers by 21.1%, reduce NHS costs and lead to a gain of 3.634 QALYs. The probability of cost-effectiveness at a threshold of 30 pound 000 per quality-adjusted life year is 61.84%. Pathways that include SEM assessment make it possible to implement early and anatomy-specific interventions which have the potential to improve the effectiveness of pressure ulcer prevention and reduce healthcare costs.

Automated summary

Skin tissue assessment is commonly used to detect early signs of pressure damage on the skin, but it may not capture damage occurring beneath the surface. Subepidermal moisture (SEM) measurement can identify deep tissue damage caused by pressure before visible skin changes occur. This study evaluates the cost-effectiveness of SEM measurement compared to visual skin assessment (VSA) in preventing hospital-acquired pressure ulcers. The findings suggest that SEM assessment, when used alongside VSA, can reduce the incidence of pressure ulcers, save costs, and improve quality-adjusted life years (QALYs).