Wellsense Announces Research Presented at SAWC Demonstrates the M.A.P(TM) Helps Hospitals Achieve Their Goal of Zero Pressure Ulcers

NASHVILLE, TN--(Marketwired - May 1, 2013) -  Four studies presented at the Symposium on Advanced Wound Care and Wound Healing Society (SAWC/WHS) meeting demonstrate improved patient outcomes in the prevention of pressure ulcers with the use of Wellsense's M.A.P™, the first-ever continuous bedside pressure mapping system. The research will be the subject of four poster presentations at the 2013 SAWC/WHS Meeting in the Colorado Convention Center in Denver on May 1-5, 2013. Three of the posters highlight the M.A.P.'s ability to help health care facilities reach their goals of zero pressure ulcer occurrences.

The results of one study, "Adding Vision through Continuous Bedside Pressure Mapping to an Intensive Care Unit with a Goal of Preventing Preventable Pressure Ulcers" is being presented by lead study author, Rosemary Jones, Nurse Practitioner and Wound, Ostomy, Continence Nurse at the Carl T. Hayden Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Phoenix, AZ. In this study, zero hospital acquired pressure ulcers (HAPUs) occurred in patients using the M.A.P™ in six months of care in 2012 at the Phoenix VA Medical Center Intensive Care Unit, compared to nine preventable pressure ulcers in the same time period in 2011 without the aid of M.A.P™. The study estimates the cost savings associated with preventing nine HAPUs at this institution to be $657,189.

The M.A.P™ pressure sensing mat is made of an intelligent textile which constantly measures pressure from thousands of discrete points. The variations in pressure across a patient's body are depicted on a monitor, using a color scheme to help caregivers visualize high (red) to low (blue) pressure points, which enables them to easily identify and minimize areas of high pressure. The M.A.P™ serves as a supportive tool for caregivers by providing live, visual feedback as they reposition patients.

"The latest research shows that pressure ulcers are preventable with the aid of the visual feedback offered by the M.A.P. during repositioning," said Dr. Ronald G. Scott, Director of Wound Care at a North Dallas long term acute care hospital. "These improved outcomes demonstrate a clear benefit to patients, who can avoid the tremendous suffering caused by pressure ulcers. The prevention of hospital acquired pressure ulcers will result in cost savings to hospitals and the health care system."

In another study being presented by Rosemary Jones, "Preventing Preventable Pressure Ulcers: A Comprehensive Approach," a goal of zero preventable pressure ulcers was achieved by the Phoenix VA Medical Center Intensive Care Unit. Starting in 2008, the ICU began instituting preventive interventions to help reduce pressure ulcer occurrence such as replacing mattresses with new low air loss and pressure relieving mattresses, applying protective barrier cream to keep excessive moisture away from patients' skin and adding ceiling lifts to each bed to decrease friction and sheer associated with repositioning. While each intervention helped reduce the incidence of pressure ulcers, the goal of zero HAPUs did not occur until M.A.P™ units were installed.

Two posters featuring research by Dr. Scott reached similar conclusions. The results of a six-month study, "Dynamic Physiologic Skin Monitoring to Enhance a Pressure Ulcer Prevention Program," showed zero pressure ulcers occurred when using M.A.P™, in comparison to 16 pressure ulcers in the same timeframe a year earlier. In a separate study, "Biofeedback of Continuous Bedside Pressure Mapping to Optimize Effective Patient Repositioning," bedside caregivers were proven to reposition patients to alleviate areas of high pressures more effectively when provided the visual feedback from the M.A.P™.

About the M.A.P™

The M.A.P™ is the first-ever, clinically proven, continuous bedside monitoring system that detects and depicts the variations in pressure across a patient's body, to aid in the prevention of hospital acquired pressure ulcers. Used on any existing bed, the M.A.P™ enables caregivers to visualize real time pressure distribution data to guide effective patient repositioning. The M.A.P™ live, color feedback empowers caregivers to easily identify early warning signs of risk to patient safety and has a demonstrated ability to improve upon a facility's pressure ulcer prevention program efforts.

About Wellsense

Wellsense was founded in 2009 to commercialize medical applications of a smart textile technology. The company's founders and management bring a strong track record of innovating and commercializing breakthrough technologies in consumer electronics and wound care. Wellsense USA Inc. and Wellsense Technologies, Ltd. are subsidiaries of Enhanced Surface Dynamics, Inc., a privately held company. Additional information is available at www.themapsystem.com.