Delayed primary wound closure in upper extremity soft tissue infections

Health care costs for inpatient care have been escalating. Homeless and indigent patients may be unable to have access to clean toilet facilities to perform adequate wound care. Evaluation of delayed primary closure of upper extremity soft tissue infections after incision and drainage in 34 patients was done. Patients were discharged at an average of 8.3 days (range, 5-21 days). This is 11 days less than the reported average granulation time for wounds to heal. No patient required readmission for surgery, wound care, or intravenous antibiotics. The authors' institution charges a rate of $2800 per patient day. A potential savings of $1,047,200 was realized.