Using continuous motion monitoring technology to determine patient's risk for development of pressure ulcers.

Objectives: To perform initial validation of a continuous motion monitoring technology that can potentially be used as a risk assessment tool to determine risk for developing pressure ulcers (PUs). Methods: We have used the EverOn system (Earlysense LTD, Ramat Gan, Israel) as a bed movement and activity monitor. The EverOn is a contactless continuous measurement system based on a piezoelectric sensor that is placed under the patient's mattress. The study was a non-interventional study performed in 2 medical departments in 2 medical centers. Recorded movement data from enrolled patients were retrospectively analyzed, and patients were assigned a motion level score. Motion scores for the first night of hospitalization were correlated with the Norton scale as calculated per patient on admission. Results: Overall, 116 patients were included in the study from the 2 sites. Motion score was significantly different between the PU risk groups as determined by the Norton scale (10.7 +/- 6.2 for low, 5.4 +/- 4.9 for intermediate, and 1.6 +/- 3.2 for high risk; P < 0.001). Using the Norton scale as a gold standard to define high risk for developing PU (<= 14), the sensitivity of the motion score was 85%, and the specificity was 93%. With regard to individual risk components, we found that activity, mobility, physical condition, and incontinence correlated highly with motion level. Conclusions: The high correlation between the EverOn motion score and the calculated Norton scale indicates the potential of this technology to serve as a risk assessment tool for the development of PUs.