700510Pressure Ulcer Risk Reduction Tool for Out Patients after Spinal InjuruesClosedGRD Proof of MarketInnovate UKPressure ulcers are a huge problem for the NHS with 412,000 people in the UK likely to
develop a pressure ulcer annually. The cost to the NHS of treatment is estimated at between
£1.4 and 2.1 billion pa, most of which is nurse time. This excludes the cost of surgical
intervention(1)
These ulcers are caused by continued pressure on a part of the body where there is a bony
prominence; spinal cord injury patients are at increased risk due to their lack of mobility and
sensation.
Spinal Research, the UK’s leading research charity in this field, documents that around 1000
people in the UK suffer a spinal cord injury annually; they are primarily young adults, 80% of
which are male.
Our project addresses this issue by providing a diagnostic tool in an environment where one
does not exist, which will be “prescribed” to spinal cord injury outpatients enabling them to
take a photographic record of their skin to identify areas that are at risk of infection. These
images can then be used to trigger advice on preventative measures to help reduce the risk of
ulcers, delivered via a mobile app.
The app will contain structured advice on mitigating the risk of pressure ulcers and also
aggregates a repository of anonymous evidence of ulcer development for further research to
develop improved advice and techniques to reduce the risk still further.
The delivery of data to consultants will be developed at a later stage taking into account the
workflow needs of the consultants to help it seamlessly merge into their current practices and
improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the solution.
The project encompasses a software solution, a diagnostic process, a knowledge
dissemination tool, service delivery improvement and a method for analysing effectiveness of
current procedures. Initially we need to assess whether an app would be an effective delivery
mechanism for the patient.
(1)Bennett G. Dealey C. Posnett J. The cost of pressure ulcers in the UK. Age and Ageing vol.
33 2004