App lets health workers track patients’ progress
A NEW app which scans and measures wounds so staff can monitor them virtually is being used in Swansea Bay.
By using smartphones and tablets, the app scans wounds and shares the images securely among staff, who can check to see how they are healing.
Developed by technology company Healthy.io, the Minuteful For Wound app is able to use the device’s camera as a diagnostic scanner to accurately measure the size of a patient’s wound.
Each image is then logged via a digital portal so nurses can compare it to previous images and see if it is improving.
The portal allows the team to fully see each wound’s status, helping track healing rates and identify any trends, while deteriorating wounds are highlighted for early intervention.
The app also means each wound is measured more accurately, as it eliminates the potential for nurses to interpret and record measurements differently.
Being able to assess wounds accurately and track their progress can reduce the healing time for patients.
Catrin Codd, interim transformational lead for district nursing, said: “We are still in the pilot stage but we are already seeing some major benefits from using the app.
“Whereas senior nurses and our tissue viability nurse would have previously had to go to patients’ homes, this is less frequent as they can monitor wounds virtually.
“It also means that if a patient moves between services both services are able to access the patient information and wound images.”
The pilot project has been rolled out in district nursing teams and wound clinics across Swansea and Neath Port Talbot, partly funded by the Welsh Government’s Digital Solutions Fund.
Swansea Bay is the first area in
Wales to use the Minuteful For Wound technology.
Sue Devonald, 71, from Port Talbot, is just one patient who has found the app beneficial.
She said: “The nurses used to change the dressing and write everything down in their notes, but with the app they can take photos and I can see how the wound is changing. It means I know a bit more about what’s going on as I can see it for myself.
“I think it’s great. It’s really good to be able to see how the wound is healing. The nurses have been marvellous with it.”
Not only does the app save time for clinical staff, it also helps improve patients’ experience as they can see their wound healing over time.
Catrin said: “Patients are also able to view the wounds themselves on the app. This helps to improve their wellbeing – they are better able to engage with their care when they can visibly see the progress of the wound as a time series of images.”
Katherine Ward, chief commercial officer at Healthy.io, said: “Enabling the nursing team to assess wounds more accurately and track healing is key to reducing the healing time of patients’ wounds.
“It has been brilliant to see the team at Swansea Bay embrace Minuteful For Wound and use the app to show patients how their wound is healing over time.”
During a visit to Cimla Health and Social Care Centre, Health Minister Eluned Morgan and Chief Nursing Officer for Wales Sue Tranka spoke to staff who have been using the app in recent months.
Baroness Morgan said: “This is a great example of exploring new and different ways of working – using technology to optimise patient care.
“Our NHS faces significant competing demands but applying new and different ways of working helps ease pressure on our hardworking healthcare workforce and help reduce waiting times.”