We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us

Download Mobile App




Novel Scanner Assesses Risk of Pressure Ulcers

By HospiMedica International staff writers
Posted on 14 Jan 2019
Print article
Image: A novel scanner detects detect localized tissue edema and bedsores (Photo courtesy of Bruin Biometrics).
Image: A novel scanner detects detect localized tissue edema and bedsores (Photo courtesy of Bruin Biometrics).
An innovative wireless handheld device detects subepidermal moisture (SEM), identifying specific areas at increased risk for developing pressure damage.

The Bruin Biometrics (BBI; Los Angeles, CA, USA) SEM Scanner is designed to detect localized tissue edema and pressure induced tissue damage by measuring surface capacitance, an electrophysical marker indicative of increased fluid content within the skin and underlying tissues and a sign of impending inflammation and pressure ulcer formation, especially at the heels and sacrum. The early detection capability can lead to accurate targeted interventions, reduced ulceration severity, and early recovery, as well as decreased hospital days.

Advantages of the point of care (POC) device include objective, evidence-based measurements; non-invasive, rapid results; clear risk assessment documentation; standardized patient assessment; and wireless syncing to a databank for rapid analytics and reporting to healthcare providers. In clinical studies, the SEM scanner has been shown to identify pressure-induced tissue damage up to 10 days before it becomes visible on the skin's surface, and can also help with the more difficult diagnosis of pressure ulcers in patients with a darker skin tone.

“Total prevention of avoidable pressure injuries is mathematically impossible under the current standard of care; prevention success demands objective, early, anatomically specific data,” said Martin Burns, CEO of BBI. “For the first time, clinicians will have access to anatomically specific risk assessment data that can be gathered from increased risk patients in all care settings. We are optimistic of the impact these data will have on prevention strategies. Our singular objective is to reduce pressure injury incidence by helping clinicians make prevention real.”

“Anatomically specific risk information gives nurses valuable advance notice to institute additional preventive treatment tailored to a patient's unique needs,” said Ruth Bryant, PhD, president-elect of the Association for the Advancement of Wound Care (AAWC; Mt Royal, NJ, USA). “The anatomically specific information, combined with tailored preventive actions may ultimately translate into fewer pressure sores, decreased costs, increased quality of patient care, increased patient satisfaction and decreased risk for adverse events due to pressure ulcers such as in-hospital mortality, prolonged length of stay, discharge to an extended care facility rather than to the home, and infection.”

Bedsores, also known as decubitus ulcers, are lesions caused by factors such as unrelieved pressure; friction; humidity; shearing forces; temperature; age; continence and medication. They can occur in any part of the body, especially over bony or cartilaginous areas such as sacrum, elbows, knees, and ankles. Bedsores are often fatal, even under the auspices of medical care, and are one of the leading iatrogenic causes of death reported in developed countries, second only to adverse drug reactions. The primary treatment is to remove the pressure by turning the patient regularly, often as much as every two hours.

Related Links:
Bruin Biometrics

Gold Member
SARS‑CoV‑2/Flu A/Flu B/RSV Sample-To-Answer Test
SARS‑CoV‑2/Flu A/Flu B/RSV Cartridge (CE-IVD)
Gold Member
Disposable Protective Suit For Medical Use
Disposable Protective Suit For Medical Use
Silver Member
Wireless Mobile ECG Recorder
NR-1207-3/NR-1207-E
New
Information Management System
Innovian Anesthesia

Print article

Channels

Surgical Techniques

view channel
Image: The Early Bird Bleed Monitoring System provides visual and audible indicators of the onset and progression of bleeding events (Photo courtesy of Saranas)

Novel Technology Monitors and Lowers Bleeding Complications in Patients Undergoing Heart Procedures

Bleeding complications at the femoral access site can significantly hamper recovery, affecting the success of procedures, patient satisfaction, and overall healthcare costs. It is crucial for surgeons... Read more

Patient Care

view channel
Image: The newly-launched solution can transform operating room scheduling and boost utilization rates (Photo courtesy of Fujitsu)

Surgical Capacity Optimization Solution Helps Hospitals Boost OR Utilization

An innovative solution has the capability to transform surgical capacity utilization by targeting the root cause of surgical block time inefficiencies. Fujitsu Limited’s (Tokyo, Japan) Surgical Capacity... Read more

Health IT

view channel
Image: First ever institution-specific model provides significant performance advantage over current population-derived models (Photo courtesy of Mount Sinai)

Machine Learning Model Improves Mortality Risk Prediction for Cardiac Surgery Patients

Machine learning algorithms have been deployed to create predictive models in various medical fields, with some demonstrating improved outcomes compared to their standard-of-care counterparts.... Read more

Point of Care

view channel
Image: The new eye-safe laser technology can diagnose traumatic brain injury (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Novel Diagnostic Hand-Held Device Detects Known Biomarkers for Traumatic Brain Injury

The growing need for prompt and efficient diagnosis of traumatic brain injury (TBI), a major cause of mortality globally, has spurred the development of innovative diagnostic technologies.... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.