Let’s talk about something no one really wants to talk about: pressure injuries (a.k.a. pressure injuries or bedsores). They sound unpleasant because they are. More than 2.5 million patients in the U.S. suffer from these avoidable wounds every year — it’s a huge problem for our entire healthcare system globally.
The Ugly Truth About Pressure Injuries
Pressure injuries can develop when someone is immobile for too long — think bedridden patients, nursing home residents, or anyone who’s not able to shift around much. You might picture these as minor issues, but a single pressure injury can cost anywhere from $20,900 to $151,700 to treat. Multiply that by millions of cases every year, and we’re talking about an eye-watering $26 billion annually. Yep, you read that right.
Worse still, about 60,000 people die from complications related to pressure injuries each year. And that’s just in the US. It’s sobering, isn’t it? We’re living in 2024, and while we’ve got AI diagnosing diseases and robots performing surgery, pressure injuries are still causing serious harm.
Prevention Is Key (And We’re Not Doing Enough)
What’s infuriating is that pressure injuries are widely considered “never events” — they should never happen with proper care. Yet, their prevalence has been creeping up. A review from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) points out that despite all the best practices and protocols we know work, pressure injuries are still on the rise.
Furthermore, recent research on pressure injury trends in the United States by McAuliffe et al. highlights a concerning reality: “despite policy changes, pressure injury prevalence remained stable, with increasing severity.” Unlike most health conditions, which are steadily improving thanks to advancements in medicine and care, pressure injuries stand out as one of the few conditions that continue to worsen, both in prevalence and severity, defying the progress seen in other areas of healthcare.
The reality? Prevention isn’t as simple as just telling staff to “move the patient more.” It requires a dedicated, interdisciplinary approach — nurses, doctors, and even tech innovators working together to stay ahead of the problem.
The Legal Side: Suing for Sores
Hospitals aren’t just battling the medical side of pressure injuries; they’re facing an onslaught of lawsuits too. With over 17,000 legal claims annually tied to pressure injuries, it’s the second most common claim after wrongful death. As a result, facilities lose 87% of cases, facing average payouts of $250K and potential damages up to $312 million, not to mention all the associated legal and reputational damages.
For families, the legal process can be equally harrowing. Pursuing a lawsuit for a pressure injury often becomes a lengthy, emotionally draining ordeal. Families are forced to relive the trauma of their loved one’s suffering while navigating a complex and intimidating legal system.
Here’s the Game-Changer: Prevention with LenexaCARE
Now you know the facts — let’s talk solutions. At Lenexa Medical, we’re firm believers that prevention is better than cure. That’s why we created LenexaCARE, a cutting-edge system designed to tackle pressure injuries head-on.
LenexaCARE uses advanced monitoring technology to detect pressure and continuously monitor position, enabling staff to step in to prevent pressure injuries before they even form. Our AI powered smart-bed is packed with sensors, the system provides real-time data, helping clinicians make informed decisions and take swift action. No more guesswork, no more “wait and see.” We believe that prevention should be proactive, not reactive.
Why Should You Care?
If you’re in healthcare, you know the impact of pressure injuries all too well. They lead to longer hospital stays, increased patient suffering, and huge financial costs. But with tools like LenexaCARE, we can turn the tide. By investing in prevention and using tech to support our frontline healthcare workers, we can drastically reduce the incidence of pressure injuries. In fact, we have recorded zero pressure injuries at facilities using LenexaCARE so far.
So, let’s stop pressure injuries before they start. It’s better for patients, better for healthcare providers, and better for everyone’s peace of mind. With LenexaCARE, we’re leading the charge in innovative, preventive care — because nobody should have to suffer from something that could have been easily prevented.
Want to learn more about how Lenexa Medical is tackling pressure injuries? Book a time through this link and let’s chat about the bright future ahead. 🛏️✨
Reference
McAuliffe, P. B., Winter, E. E., Talwar, A. A., Desai, A. A., Broach, R. B., & Fischer, J. P. (2023). Pressure Ulcer Trends in the United States: A Cross-Sectional Assessment from 2008-2019. The American Surgeon, 89(12), 000313482311586-000313482311586.
https://doi.org/10.1177/00031348231158691
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (2024). Preventing pressure ulcers in hospitals. Ahrq.gov.
https://www.ahrq.gov/patient-safety/settings/hospital/resource/pressureulcer/tool/pu1.html
Voss, A. C., Bender, S. A., Ferguson, M. L., Sauer, A. C., Bennett, R. G., & Hahn, P. W. (2005). Long-Term Care Liability for Pressure Ulcers. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 53(9), 1587–1592. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-5415.2005.53462.x
Padula, W. V., & Delarmente, B. A. (2019). The national cost of hospital-acquired pressure injuries in the United States. International Wound Journal, 16(3), 634–640. https://doi.org/10.1111/iwj.13071