PLEASANTON, Calif., Aug. 20, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The wearable technology market has traditionally been focused on consumers that are active and healthy. However, wearable technology has the potential to be used in the hospital environment to help improve diagnostic capabilities and therapeutic outcomes. Today, Leaf Healthcare released a video from the Wearable Technologies Conference 2015, where Barrett Larson, MD discussed new applications for wearables in healthcare.   

"Over the past decade, the market for wearable technology has exploded. Wearable technology has enabled consumers to track virtually every aspect of their daily lives," said Dr. Larson. "In consumer markets we're tracking athletic performance, activity levels, sleep patterns, stress levels, and everything else you can possibly imagine. The hospital environment represents a new frontier for wearables, where this technology can be used to address real problems." 

In his presentation, Dr Larson discussed how wearable technology could be used to help improve outcomes for hospitalized patients. One specific example related to the use of wearables to prevent pressure ulcers.

"We are facing a pressure ulcer epidemic," he said. "One out of every 30 hospitalized patients will develop a pressure ulcer in the United States. Annual treatment costs for hospital acquired pressure ulcers are over $9 billion."

Recently released guidelines from the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP) recommend repositioning all patients at risk of pressure ulcers unless medically contraindicated. For the recommended seven steps clinicians might use to help prevent pressure ulcers, please see http://bit.ly/1ecLMGP. 

Use of the Leaf Patient Monitoring System has been shown to improve compliance to repositioning protocols from 64 percent (the national average) to 98 percent. Many hospitals have improved their turn compliance rates using the Leaf Patient Monitoring System, including El Camino Hospital and Chino Valley Medical Center and many others. More recently, hospitals using the Leaf system are reporting dramatic and sustained decreases in their pressure ulcers.

Dr. Larson also spoke about the value of using wearable technology to improve monitor and manage progressive mobility programs for hospitalized patients. The benefits of early ambulation and progressive mobility are broad and include:

• Improved circulation and prevention of blood clots
• Decreased risk of pneumonia and improved lung function
• Decreased constipation
• Reduced delirium and disorientation
• Helps prevent deconditioning
• Decreased length of hospital stay

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 easily monitor 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 in order to prevent pressure ulcers. The Leaf Patient Monitoring System has been cleared for sale by FDA.

About Leaf Healthcare, Inc.

Leaf Healthcare creates wireless patient monitoring solutions for health care providers seeking more efficient, cost effective ways to improve patient safety and clinical outcomes. The Leaf Patient Monitoring System wirelessly monitors a patient's position and movement and uses that data to automate and document the management of prescribed turn protocols for patients at risk for hospital acquired pressure ulcers. The company continually seeks to incorporate more patient monitoring features and capabilities into its technology platform, enabling ever-broader improvements to patient safety, clinical efficiency and patient outcomes. To learn more, visit www.leafhealthcare.com

Leaf Healthcare is a proud supporter of the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP). The NPUAP is an independent organization and does not endorse or promote the products or services of any of its supporters.

Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phWnXbpTfCU

SOURCE Leaf Healthcare, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.leafhealthcare.com