Imaging Technology that Provides Equitable Wound Care
Manual wound evaluation can be inaccurate for people with darker skin tones, as many imaging technologies can misinterpret results. Swift Medical’s Ray 1 is an enhanced imaging device that attaches to smartphones and evaluates wounds for blood flow, infection and inflammation in people of all skin tones, Akerman says.
“There is currently no reliable method of determining a diabetic foot ulcer through standard visual inspection, especially on dark-pigmented skin,” Akerman says, adding that the Ray 1 platform also allows patients to see their own wounds clearly, which can help with healing.
“Patients feel more engaged, with 81 percent reporting that photographing their wounds helps them better track and manage their healing progress,” Akerman says.
LEARN MORE: How can health systems harness data in imaging to create better patient outcomes?
Platform Integrations Bolster Wound Care Amid Nursing Shortages
Chronic wounds are becoming more prevalent as the U.S. population ages, says Karen Guzdzial director of marketing for Perceptive Solutions. Its WoundZoom Mobile app for clinicians captures wound measurements, then syncs the photos and documentation to its own digital portal and dashboard, which integrates with many popular electronic health records systems.
Used by clinicians in hospitals, long-term-care and home settings, WoundZoom is filling gaps as wound specialists become scarce, Guzdzial says.