PLEASANTON, CA -- A clinical trial of unique pressure ulcer prevention technology found that a novel, wearable patient sensor from Leaf Healthcare, Inc., can help medical professionals dramatically improve their efforts to prevent the occurrence of pressure ulcers, also known as bedsores.
The study showed that use of the device increased compliance with hospital turn protocols – a standard of care method to prevent pressure ulcers – from a baseline of 64 percent at the start of the trial to 98 percent after the monitoring system was deployed.
Results of the three-month study were presented at last week's prestigious American Nurses Credential Center (ANCC) National Magnet Conference in Dallas, a gathering of more than 7,000 nurses and nursing executives that showcases the newest advances in nursing quality improvements from the world's best hospitals.
The presentation, entitled, "We're Sensing You! A multi-phase clinical trial examining innovative technology to improve patient turning compliance," demonstrated that continuous position monitoring helps nursing staff comply with patient turn protocols. These protocols are an important weapon in the health care industry's war on pressure ulcers, one of the world's most common and costly medical errors.
"Nurses and hospitals are searching for innovative ways to reduce pressure ulcers – which affect more than 2.5 million U.S. patients each year – and this presentation provides valuable insights into how that can be accomplished," said Mark Smith, vice president, sales and marketing at Leaf Healthcare. "We are thrilled that Leaf technology is so useful in the prevention of this terrible condition."
Institution-acquired pressure ulcers are a leading threat to modern quality healthcare. Research by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality shows that pressure ulcers cost the nation's healthcare system more than $11 billion a year. The condition is both excruciatingly painful for patients and costly for providers since it is considered preventable and, therefore, does not qualify for reimbursement by government and other payers.
To help healthcare providers reduce these costs – while improving patient safety and clinical outcomes – Leaf creates wireless patient monitoring solutions.
The Leaf system is comprised of a small, lightweight, wearable sensor that electronically monitors a patient's position and movements. Data collected by the sensor is communicated wirelessly to central monitoring stations or mobile devices so that caregivers can check on patient position and movement. The system provides alerts when necessary to ensure that all patients wearing a Leaf Sensor are repositioned according to their prescribed turning schedules to reduce incidence of pressure ulcers. The device has been cleared for sale by FDA 510(k).
To learn more, visit http://www.leafhealthcare.com