El Camino Hospital and Leaf Healthcare Piloting a Pressure Ulcer Prevention Program Using Innovative Patient Monitoring Technology

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Nov. 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- To address the need for improved pressure ulcer prevention and treatments, El Camino Hospital today announced their participation in a pilot program of the Leaf Patient Monitor, a system that wirelessly monitors in real-time, the position, movement and activity of patients susceptible to pressure ulcers (bed sores) and alerts staff when that movement deviates from individual turn-management protocols set by healthcare providers. 

"Like all hospitals across the country, El Camino Hospital is focused on decreasing the incidence of pressure ulcers among our in-patients, and while we've made great strides, we are always looking for new ways to help our staff manage this complex condition," said Tomi Ryba, President and CEO of El Camino Hospital. "Participating in this pilot program will allow us to couple our process and protocols with this innovative monitoring technology to help our staff more effectively manage our most at-risk patients." 

Developed by Newark, Calif.-based Leaf Healthcare, the Leaf Patient Monitor is comprised of a small, lightweight wearable patient sensor that electronically monitors that individual's position and movements.  Data collected by the sensor is then communicated wirelessly to central monitoring stations or mobile devices so that patient position and movement status can easily be viewed.  The system provides alerts when necessary to ensure that all at-risk patients wearing a Leaf Sensor are turned according to their prescribed turning schedules that reduce incidence of pressure ulcers.  The device has been FDA cleared.  

"This system provides caregivers with accurate information regarding a patient's position and movement over time, thus enabling easy identification of which patients are turning adequately on their own and which patients are in need of a greater assistance.  The result is that all patients are repositioned per their prescribed protocol, which is an integral component of successful pressure ulcer prevention programs," said Mark Weckwerth, CEO, Leaf Healthcare.  "Partnering with El Camino Hospital on this pilot provides us and them with critical information and data that we hope can be applied across their organization – and shared with other healthcare organizations, as well."

Nationally, pressure ulcers affect more than 2.5 million patients, costing the healthcare system up to $11.6 million dollars annually.¹   According to the NIH, pressure ulcers are caused when pressure on the skin reduces blood flow to the area. Without enough blood, an ulcer may form and the skin can die. Patients who are bedridden for long periods of time are especially susceptible.  Typical preventative measures include daily monitoring for ulcers, changing position at least every two hours and using items like pillows, foam padding and sheepskin to reduce pressure.²

About El Camino Hospital
El Camino Hospital is an acute-care, 443-bed, nonprofit and locally governed organization with campuses in Mountain View and Los Gatos, Calif.  In addition to state-of-the-art emergency departments, key medical specialties include neuroscience, heart and vascular, cancer care, urology, orthopedic and spine, genomic medicine, and the only Women's Hospital in Northern California.  The hospital is recognized as a national leader in the use of health information technology and wireless communications, and has been awarded the Gold Seal of Approval from The Joint Commission as a Primary Stroke Center as well as back-to-back ANCC Magnet Recognitions for Nursing Care.

To learn more, visit our website, find us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, or view our videos on YouTube. For a physician referral, visit our website or call the El Camino Health Line at 800-216-5556.

About Leaf Healthcare, Inc.
Leaf Healthcare creates wireless patient monitoring solutions for health care providers who are seeking more efficient and cost effective ways to improve patient safety and clinical outcomes.  Leaf's initial product, The Leaf Patient Monitoring System, wirelessly monitors a patient's position and movement and utilizes that data to automate and document the management of prescribed turn protocols for patients at risk for Hospital Acquired Pressure Ulcers (HAPUs).  The company is currently incorporating additional patient monitoring features and capabilities into its technology platform, enabling even broader improvements to patient safety, clinical efficiency and patient outcomes. 
To learn more, visit www.leafhealthcare.com

1. Are We Ready for This Change?: Preventing Pressure Ulcers in Hospitals: A Toolkit for Improving Quality of Care. April 2011. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. http://www.ahrq.gov/professionals/systems/long-term-care/resources/pressure-ulcers/pressureulcertoolkit/putool1.html
2. National Institutes of Health.  Medline Plus. Pressure ulcers. Accessed 11/14/13. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007071.htm

SOURCE El Camino Hospital