01 Nov The Cost-effectiveness of the geko® device for Venous Leg Ulcer Treatment
Sky Medical Technology has welcomed the publication of a study evaluating the cost-effectiveness of its geko device combined with standard of care (SoC), versus SoC alone, in the treatment of venous leg ulcers (VLU).
Key findings from the study, published in the International Wound Journal (IWJ), demonstrate that the geko device significantly enhances treatment outcomes by stimulating the common peroneal nerve, which increases venous, arterial, and microvascular blood flow. This physiological benefit translates into a remarkable 68% increase in wound healing compared to SoC alone.
Raising costs for healthcare providers
Due to the increase in patients suffering from venous leg ulcers, costs are continuously on the rise for healthcare providers. On average, healing can take over six months increasing the need for nurses to undertake more community visits.
The integration of the geko device into SoC protocols offers substantial cost savings, with the study revealing that using the geko device results in an average cost saving of £774.14 per patient, compared to SoC alone across the NHS.
As of February 2024, the NHS waiting list surpassed 7.5 million, among this data was a notable increase in VLU patients who needed hospital care due to unhealed or infected wounds. Therefore, reducing hospital admissions and providing alternative solutions for managing patient outcare is vital.
Benefits of the geko device
To help patients and introduce more cost-effective measures for wound healing, the geko device can be administered to assist with at-home care. The device activates the calf and foot muscle pumps to stimulate the lateral popliteal nerve, augmenting venous, arterial, and microvascular blood flow.
Furthermore, patients incorporating the use of the geko device have shown a positive impact on costs. The study showed a 33% reduction in the usage of compression bandaging and wound dressings used by patients. Likewise, there was a 31% decrease in the total number of district nurse visits reported, equating to a saving of 30 visits per patient treated.
Economic analyses also indicate that adopting the geko device reduces overall NHS average expenditure on venous leg ulcer wound management by 15% per patient, which positively impacts patients’ health-related quality of life, making it a cost-effective adjunctive therapy for managing chronic venous leg ulcers within the NHS.
Find more on the study here
Read the full news announcement here
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