Compression bandaging is essential for leg ulcer care, but too costly for many Australian patients, says the Australian Wound Management Association, which his calling for a government subsided scheme
The peak body for Australia’s wound management health professionals is calling on the government to subside compression therapy for leg ulcers to speed up recovery times, stop personal suffering and save on health spending.
A subsidised scheme is necessary because the high cost of therapy, which is usually borne by the patient who is most often elderly, puts it out of reach for many Australians, the Australian Wound Management Association (AWMA) has said this week, which marks the fifth annual Wound Awareness week.
The call comes on the back of a KPMG Health Economics report released this week, An economic evaluation of compression therapy for venous leg ulcers, which estimates annual savings in excess of $150 million if the treatment is used for all eligible cases.
Australian Wound Management Association (AWMA) national president Dr Bill McGuiness said the estimated savings would flow from the faster healing times of venous leg ulcers (VLU) associated with compression therapy.
“Compression therapy is an essential component of VLU care, with most wounds healing within the benchmark time of 12 weeks, nearly twice as quickly as otherwise.
“This means less use of GPs, community care and hospitals, and a greatly reduced financial burden on the public health system,” Dr McGuiness said.
Key findings
As many as 300,000 Australians currently experience chronic wounds requiring management, the AWMA estimates.
The KPMG study found around 42,600 people aged over 60 years have at least one VLU at any time.
The report estimates savings of $166 million a year if all eligible patients with VLU were treated with compression bandages and stockings.
This equates to an average saving of $6,328 per patient per year in health care costs and an average annual reduction of $399 the patient must pay.
It costs at least twice as much, and up to almost three times as much in some areas, to treat a VLU patient when compression therapy is not used compared to when it is.
VLU patients receiving compression therapy are unlikely to be admitted to hospital for their wound management, whereas 11 per cent of patients not receiving the therapy do need to be hospitalised, the report found.
KPMG’s Lead Health Economist Dr. Henry Cutler said compression therapy leads to better health outcomes at lower cost.
“Sustainable health care financing in Australia will require giving greater priority to cost-effective care, such as compression therapy for VLU,” Dr Cutler said.
Above: Dr Bill McGuiness, Australian Wound Management Association national president
An equity issue
The clinical benefits of compression therapy are well-known and reflected in guidelines across Australia, New Zealand and a range of comparable countries, Dr McGuiness said.
However, while support is available in Australia to treat other common conditions such as incontinence and diabetes, it’s not available for compression therapy, he said.
“Managing leg ulcers is an equity issue that needs addressing urgently. The less well-off are paying the price for a health condition that causes pain and discomfort, greatly restricts their mobility and creates distress and social isolation.”
“As the Australian Medical Association noted in its pre-budget submission, we may not be in an environment for significant new health funding, but we have an urgent need for some smarter thinking on how precious health dollars are allocated and spent,” Dr McGuiness said.
The report is available for download at www.awma.com.au
