NAMSR News: Bedsore prevention found effective with new wearable sensor

ARLINGTON, Va. - Oct. 17, 2014 - PRLog -- Also known as pressure ulcers, these are a pernicious problem for the U.S. healthcare system--an estimated 2.5 million patients in the U.S. get the painful sores that can result in further complications but are preventable with proper care.

The Leaf Healthcare Wearable Sensor System can help ensure that healthcare workers are complying with patient turn protocols, which prevent bedsores. Compliance with hospital turn protocols increased to 98% from a baseline of 64% at the start of the three-month trial. Results of the study were presented this week at the American Nurses Credential Center National Magnet Conference in Dallas, TX.A new wireless, disposable sensor can help long-term care and hospital administrators prevent bedsores. Also known as pressure ulcers, these are a pernicious problem for the U.S. healthcare system--an estimated 2.5 million patients in the U.S. get the painful sores that can result in further complications but are preventable with proper care.

The Leaf Healthcare Wearable Sensor System can help ensure that healthcare workers are complying with patient turn protocols, which prevent bedsores. Compliance with hospital turn protocols increased to 98% from a baseline of 64% at the start of the three-month trial. Results of the study were presented this week at the American Nurses Credential Center National Magnet Conference in Dallas, TX.

"Nurses and hospitals are searching for innovative ways to reduce pressure ulcers and this presentation provides valuable insights into how that can be accomplished," Leaf VP of Sales and Marketing Mark Smith said in a statement.

The system includes a small, wireless, disposable sensor that is worn on a patient's upper chest and attached via an adhesive backing. Once applied, the sensors transmit to remote antennas that are plugged into standard electrical outlets. A series of antennas creates a wireless network; an individual sensor will transmit with the antenna that has the highest signal strength to improve data transmission.

The antenna sends the data to the Leaf User Interface that can be used on computers, tablets or smartphones. The interface stores and analyzes patient turn data, prioritizing and providing actionable items for healthcare workers. Data for current or discharged patients is stored on a server in order to ensure responsibility and documentation. Administrators can generate reports on turning activity that is organized by several factors including admission status, a particular time period, for an individual patient, as well as by a specific shift, ward or floor.

Pressure ulcers are estimated to cost the U.S. healthcare system more than $11 billion, according to data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

CANDIDATES WHO WANT TO BREAK INTO MEDICAL SALES:

RMSR® Medical Sales Certification offered by the National Association of Medical Sales Representatives is designed for entry level medical device sales reps. The course covers a wide array of topics pertaining to industry knowledge that candidates need to acquire before applying to medical sales positions.

The course and training helps to develop the industry skills, maximizing the candidates’ potential and goals, as well as making them feel valued and stimulated in their role when communicating with members of the medical community. By an applicant acquiring medical sales training and a RMSR Certification, it puts him/her in a position of strength and qualifies them for medical sales jobs. Medical knowledge is key in this industry and when communicating with doctors, surgeons, and nurses etc. It is extremely important for representatives to use key terminology pertaining to the medical product he/she will be promoting. The only way to succeed in this industry is to garner actual sales. Doctors and Surgeons will not acknowledge a Sales Rep who is not proficient in essential medical terminology, knowledgeable of medical devices/equipment and the anatomy. For those lacking a solid sales background the RMSR course covers knowledge of medical selling techniques and regulation such as Effective Territory Management, Effective Networking, Medical Sales Ethical & Regulatory Guidelines and more.

The National Association of Medical Sales Representative™ (NAMSR) is the largest professional association in the world for Medical Sales Representatives. Through our numerous members, the NAMSR™ provides accredited training, continuing education, information about the industry, up-to-date news, programs to assist medical sales reps in their work, training programs to assist candidates who want to break into the industry and initiatives to improve communication with the medical sales field.

For more information on the NAMSR or the RMSR certification visit www.medicalsalescareer.com or call 800-313-9198