Evaluation of the SEM Scanner 200 for the Detection of Early Pressure Ulcers: A Multi-Site Longitudinal Study
Pressure Ulcers
About this trial
This is an interventional other trial for Pressure Ulcers focused on measuring subepidermal moisture
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Greater or equal to 55 years of age
At risk of developing a pressure ulcer at time of enrollment as defined by one or more of the following:
- PU Risk Score - Braden < 15; Waterlow ≥ 10; or Norton ≤ 18
- Poor mobility; e.g., Braden mobility subscore ≤ 2; Waterlow mobility subscore > 2; Norton mobility subscore ≤ 2; or poor mobility according to clinical judgment (chair- or bed-bound)
- Poor nutrition; e.g., Braden nutrition subscore ≤ 2; Waterlow nutrition subscore > 2; or poor nutrition according to clinical judgment
- Medical procedure (e.g. surgery, x-ray, etc.) involving immobility and inability to change position lasting 4 hours or longer
- Evaluable by the study team for a minimum of 6 consecutive days upon enrollment
- Willing and able to provide informed consent (or by proxy)
Exclusion Criteria:
- Unhealed (including newly diagnosed) pressure ulcer at any anatomical site at the time of enrollment
- Broken skin at the sacrum and both heels that prevents collection of SEM Scanner readings from all three anatomical locations; possible assessment at only one or two locations is not grounds for exclusion
- Moisture lesion or incontinence associated dermatitis at the sacrum
- Physical, structural, or other limitations preventing assessments required in this study (e.g., suspected or actual injury preventing turning)
- Presence of any condition(s) or injury(ies) which compromises the subject's ability to complete this study
- Per clinical decision of the study Investigator, diminished decision-making capacity which might impact compliance or completion with study procedures
- Patient modesty concerns on the part of the subject (or their proxy) that might impact collection of SEM Scanner readings at the anatomical location (heels and sacrum) to be assessed
Sites / Locations
- Thomas Jefferson Hospital
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Other
Daily Skin Assessments (SoC and SEM Scanner Readings)
The SEM Scanner 200 measures sub-epidermal moisture ("SEM"), which has been studied as an indicator of localized edema characteristic of pressure-induced tissue damage. Daily assessments were performed at the sacrum and both heels unless the anatomical location(s) were not assessable. Daily assessments included: Risk Assessment (standard of care; Braden, Waterlow, or Norton) Skin Assessment (standard of care visual skin assessments utilizing tactile and visual cues) SEM Scanner readings ("test" variable in this study). Standard of care evaluations were conducted by individuals meeting the definition of Specialist specified in the study protocol whereas separate individuals meeting the definition of Generalist performed SEM Scanner 200 measurements. Specialists were blinded to the assessment by the Generalists, and vice versa.