Smith & Nephew (NYSE:SNN; LSE:SN), the global medical technology business, today announces that researchers at Stanford Health Care have found that patients treated with Leaf, a wireless device that is adhered to a patient's chest to monitor the patient's position, orientation, movement and activity, are 73% less likely to develop a pressure injury.1
The investigator-initiated randomized control trial (RCT) involved more than 1,200 patients and over 100,000 hours of data was analysed. The Leaf sensor was used to help ensure that patients were repositioned with sufficient frequency and quality. The optimized care delivery enabled by Leaf resulted in a significant reduction in hospital acquired pressure injuries.
Pressure injuries are among the most common and costly hospital-acquired conditions, costing the US healthcare system $11 billion annually.2 The cost to treat pressure ulcers/injuries across the episode of a wound can be over $70,000 for a full-thickness wound.3
“This large randomized controlled trial confirms what has been demonstrated in smaller studies and is consistent with real-world customer experience,” said Leaf Healthcare CEO and co-founder Barrett Larson. “This study is an important step towards redefining the standard of care for pressure injury prevention.”
The Leaf System is exclusively distributed by Smith & Nephew, also an investor in the company. Mike Zagger, SVP US Wound Management, Smith & Nephew, commented, “This study confirms that the optimized care delivery enabled by Leaf is translated into a significant reduction in hospital-acquired pressure injuries. We are proud to provide this device, alongside our full suite of pioneering products, to support healthcare professionals and enable them to reduce the human and economic cost of wounds.”
For detailed product information, please consult product’s Instructions for Use (IFU) prior to use.
To learn more about what we do to help reduce pressure ulcer incidence, please visit www.closertozero.com
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About Leaf Healthcare, Inc.
Leaf Healthcare creates wireless patient monitoring solutions for healthcare providers seeking efficient, cost effective ways to improve patient safety and clinical outcomes. Its patient monitoring system wirelessly monitors patient position and movement and uses that data to improve patient safety, clinical efficiency, and patient outcomes. To learn more, visit www.leafhealthcare.com
About Smith & Nephew
Smith & Nephew is a global medical technology business dedicated to supporting healthcare professionals in their daily efforts to improve the lives of their patients. With leadership positions in Orthopaedic Reconstruction, Advanced Wound Management, Sports Medicine and Trauma & Extremities, Smith & Nephew has more than 15,000 employees and a presence in more than 100 countries. Annual sales in 2016 were almost $4.7 billion. Smith & Nephew is a member of the FTSE100 (LSE: SN, NYSE: SNN).
For more information about Smith & Nephew, please visit our corporate website www.smith-nephew.com, follow @SmithNephewplc on Twitter or visit SmithNephewplc on Facebook.com
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References
1.Pickham, D. et al. Effect of a wearable patient sensor on care delivery for preventing pressure injuries in acutely ill adults: A pragmatic randomized clinical trial (LS-HAPI study). International Journal of Nursing Studies 80 (2018) 12-19. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29331656.
2.Russo et al. Hospitalizations Related to Pressure Ulcers, 2006. HCUP Statistical Brief #64. December 2008. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. http://www.hcup-us.ahrq.gov/reports/statbriefs/sb64.pdf.
3. Reddy et al. Preventing Pressure Ulcers: A Systematic Review. JAMA, August 23/30 2006 Vol 296, No 8 (Reprinted)