AB077. SOH25_AB_360. Enhancing wound care pathways: a cost-effectiveness study of tissue viability nurse-vascular ward rounds

Background: Management of lower limb wounds in vascular services traditionally involves outpatient clinic appointments with a multidisciplinary team. In July 2024, a dedicated weekly inpatient ward round was introduced at University Hospital Limerick, led by a consultant vascular surgeon and a tissue viability nurse (TVN). This intervention aimed to assess and manage inpatients with lower limb wounds, reducing the need for subsequent outpatient appointments. This study evaluates the cost-effectiveness of this new approach compared to the traditional outpatient model.

Methods: A cost analysis compared the resources and expenses of the weekly TVN ward round to those of outpatient clinic appointments. Over 14 weeks from July 2024 to October 2024, 17 patients were seen during 7 TVN ward rounds. Data included staff time, resource utilisation, and the number of outpatient appointments avoided.

Results: Each TVN ward round avoided an average of three outpatient appointments, with associated cost savings of €720 and a benefit-cost ratio of 5.1, indicating a strong return on investment. Early inpatient intervention improved clinical outcomes, provided quicker access to vascular assessments, and reduced the burden on outpatient clinics, optimizing clinic capacity and enhancing patient satisfaction.

Conclusions: Preliminary findings suggest that the TVN ward round is a cost-effective alternative to traditional outpatient appointments for managing lower limb wounds. It reduces outpatient burden, facilitates earlier interventions, and may improve patient outcomes and satisfaction. Further evaluation is recommended to assess its long-term sustainability and scalability.

Keywords: Cost effectiveness; lower limb wounds; tissue viability nurse (TVN); vascular patients; vascular ulcers