Patients gave universally positive feedback about the app’s ease of use and the ability to have wounds monitored
A new smartphone app called WoundCare is successfully enabling patients to remotely send images of their surgical wounds for monitoring by nurses. The app was developed by researchers from the Wisconsin Institute of Surgical Outcomes Research (WiSOR), Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin, Madison, with the goal of earlier detection of surgical site infections (SSIs) and prevention of hospital readmissions. The study results appear as an “article in press” on the website of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons ahead of print.
SSIs are the most common hospital-acquired infection and the leading cause of hospital readmission following an operation.1,2,3 Due to the prevalence off SSIs, the WiSOR research team decided to see if postoperative wound monitoring could be effectively achieved by having patients upload photos through the WoundCare app and answer a few brief questions to gather information not easily captured through images.
“Patients cannot identify [infections] and frequently ignore or fail to recognize the early signs of cellulitis or other wound complications,” study authors wrote. “This drawback leads to the common and frustrating scenario where patients present to a routine, scheduled clinic appointment with an advanced wound complication that requires readmission, with or without reoperation. However, the complication may have been amenable to outpatient management if detected earlier.”
Forty vascular surgery patients were enrolled in the study. There was an overall data submission rate of 90.2 percent among participants, and submissions were reviewed within an average of 9.7 hours. During the study, seven wound complications were detected and one false negative was found.
“We set out to come up with a protocol where patients could become active participants in their care and allow us to be in closer communication and monitor their wounds after they leave the hospital,” said lead study author and general surgery resident Rebecca L. Gunter, MD. . “This approach allows us to intervene at an earlier time rather than waiting for patients to come back in after the problem has already developed past the point of being able to manage it on an outpatient basis.”
Patients were enthusiastic about the app’s ease of use and the reassurance they felt having their wounds regularly monitored. The nurse practitioners responsible for reviewing the submitted images attested to the value of the photos and patient satisfaction, although they also noted it was difficult to find time to review the submitted images on top of an already heavy clinical workload. Study authors note that the success and sustainability of a post-discharge wound-monitoring protocol requires a dedicated transitional care program and not simply adding a task to the current staff workload.
This protocol also has a cost-savings component, in addition to the patient safety and satisfaction aspects. Study authors note that SSIs are the most expensive hospital-acquired infection, costing an average of nearly $30,000 per wound-related readmission and an estimated $3-10 billion annually.
“If you could imagine saving the cost from the number of patients whose readmission you were able to prevent, that result could provide significant savings to the health system,” Dr. Gunter said. Although capturing specific numbers related to cost-savings was not part of this study, Dr. Gunter said it is an important area of focus for future studies.
A limitation to telemedicine protocols that call for the use of smartphones is that not every patient has the necessary technology or knowledge to upload images on their own. The WiSOR research team addressed this issue by having participants undergo tailored training to learn to use the WoundCheck app. They provided each patient with an iPhone 5S and an accompanying visual reference guide to further assist in using the phone and app. Dr. Gunter said they were very successful in giving patients knowledge and access to technology so they could participate in the study. She said this is a model easily adaptable to other medical centers, whether through providing participants with a phone, having a rotating supply of phones at the hospitals for patients to borrow, or relying on a patient’s personal device.
“We have demonstrated that a population of complex and high-risk patients, many of whom are older adults and novice smartphone users, can complete this protocol with high fidelity and satisfaction,” the researchers concluded.
Learn more: Postoperative Wound Monitoring App Can Reduce Readmissions and Improve Patient Care
The Latest on: Wound monitoring
[google_news title=”” keyword=”wound monitoring” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Wound monitoring
- Wayne Co. deputies shoot, wound suspect at Belle Isleon April 29, 2024 at 10:25 am
Scott Gatti, chief of operations for the Wayne County Sheriff's Office, said the suspect was taken to a hospital after he was shot by sheriff's deputies and was conscious during the trip. He said the ...
- Global Chronic Wound Care Industryon April 29, 2024 at 6:27 am
Global Chronic Wound Care Industry is expected to reach US$ 25,042.5 million at CAGR of 3.8% during forecast period 2023 to 2033 ...
- Johns Hopkins Is Teaming Up With Healthy.io to Improve Diabetic Patients’ Wound Careon April 25, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Based on the scan, Healthy.io’s provides documentation, as well as wound monitoring services. Munck Wilson Mandala Partner Greg Howison shared his perspective on some of the legal ramifications ...
- Police say ankle monitor led them to second suspect in Menallen shootingon April 24, 2024 at 9:55 pm
Police say ankle monitor led them to second suspect in Menallen shooting State police alleged a Uniontown man’s court-ordered monitor tied him to a shooting in Menallen Township. Shaimik Christopher ...
- Wound Care Market Size is Estimated to Reach USD 30.75 billion by 2031 Owing to Rising Chronic Conditions and Surgical Procedureson April 24, 2024 at 5:00 pm
On one hand, technology is taking center stage with the development of smart dressings, bioengineered tissues, and digital wound monitoring systems. A recent example is a smart bandage created by ...
- AI smartphones may soon help monitor chronic wounds from homeon April 24, 2024 at 5:00 pm
In the near future, patients may also be able to monitor their chronic wounds from the comfort of their homes through mobile artificial intelligence (AI) technology being developed at the University ...
- Ex-cop accused of killing 2 women and taking son dead of self-inflicted gunshot wound in Oregon; boy is safeon April 24, 2024 at 5:31 am
Police had issued an Amber Alert on Monday night and said they were searching for Elias Huizar, who they said was believed to be heading to Mexico with his young son after killing his ex-wife and ...
- Why does it take longer for wounds of diabetic patients to dry up? Know how to avoid thison April 24, 2024 at 12:58 am
Diabetes, a prevalent metabolic disorder, not only impacts blood sugar levels but also poses challenges in wound healing. Understanding why ..|News Track ...
- Blast at Iraq army base kills one, wounds otherson April 20, 2024 at 3:00 am
One person was killed and eight wounded in an overnight explosion at an Iraqi military base housing a coalition of pro-Iranian armed groups, officials said Saturday.The full details remain unclear ...
via Bing News