A non-contact imaging-based approach to detecting stage I pressure ulcers.

This paper describes a non-contact imaging-based method to detect stage I pressure ulcers over a wide range of melanin levels. Two approaches were explored: the first used broad and narrow band visible spectrum imaging, and the second used near infrared (NIR) imaging. Preliminary results are presented together with results of numerical analysis of different erythema indices derived from the visible spectrum images.

Improving the detection of stage I pressure ulcers by enhancing digital color images.

It has been observed in previous studies that the detection of stage I pressure ulcers becomes more difficult by unaided visual inspection and/or by using currently available techniques with darker skin subjects, due to increased melanin content. This difficulty is indicated by the elevated proportion of black and hispanic patients developing more serious stage III and IV pressure ulcers compared to white patients. The ultimate goal of this project, undertaken by MARC at the University of Virginia, is to develop a low-cost, non-contact imaging-based stage I pressure ulcer detection system for use by support staff in assisted living and skilled nursing facilities to increase the ulcer detection rate over a wide range of skin colors.

Impact of passive health status monitoring to care providers and payers in assisted living.

The objective of this study was to assess the impact of passive health status monitoring on the cost of care, as well as the efficiencies of professional caregivers in assisted living. We performed a case-controlled study to assess economic impact of passive health status monitoring technology in an assisted-living facility. Passive monitoring systems were installed in the assisted-living units of 21 residents to track physiological parameters (heart rate and breathing rate), the activities of daily living (ADLs), and key alert conditions.

Validation of rule-based inference of selected independent activities of daily living.

This paper explores the validity of a rule-based inference method of selected independent activities of daily living (ADLs). An inexpensive ADL monitoring system was installed in the community for 37 days to monitor a middle-aged, healthy individual living alone. The subject was given a personal digital assistant (PDA), running custom activity diary software, and asked to record activities in real-time.