NR1799 Project: Smart Moisture Detector for Pressure Ulcer Prevention

This project details the development of a smart moisture detector designed to reduce the incidence of pressure ulcers in bedridden elderly patients. The device aims to alert caregivers to changes in diaper moisture levels, thereby improving patient quality of life and reducing the workload of nurses. The methodology involves a survey of nurses and caregivers, revealing moisture as a primary contributor to pressure ulcers. The device incorporates Microbits, a buzzer, and LED lights to detect and signal moisture. The prototype was tested with participants, who expressed interest in purchasing the device. Benefits include increased efficiency for caregivers, improved patient comfort, and reduced risk of infection. The project highlights the device's potential to improve healthcare outcomes in care units and hospitals, ultimately reducing the prevalence of pressure ulcers among the elderly, with a focus on user-friendliness and cost-effectiveness. The report also includes references to relevant research on pressure ulcers and related factors.

Smart moisture
detector

Introduction
 Pressure ulcers or bedsores are injuries to underlying tissues or
skin usually caused by long term pressure. A research done by
experts shows that pressure ulcers is prevalent in older adults
and bedridden patients. Atleast one out of 10 elderly patients
has or is at a higher risk of getting pressure ulcers, if they are
hospitalized for more than a week (Khalik, 2016)
 According to prevalence study done Rasero et all (2015),
50.75% of the elderly population accessed are at higher risk of
developing pressure ulcers and 24.66% of the study population
was found to have already developed pressure ulcers.

Cont…
 In a bid to reduce the development of pressure ulcers
in bedridden older adults and patients, we have
developed an idea to create a device known as smart
moisture device detector that will reduce patient’s
exposure to moisture.

Aims
 With the help of this device, caretakers are alerted to change
diapers in time, this significantly improve patient’s quality of life
 Work of caretakers and nurses is reduced as there is no need for
manual check of patient’s moisture conditions
 To reduce development of pressure ulcers resulting from
moisture

METHODOLOGY
 A survey on prevalence of pressure ulcers was done and data was collected and
among the many factors that contributes to the development of pressure ulcers,
moisture being main source/factor.
 Prevalence of pressure ulcers was 57.1% for the elderly. The diapers
require to changed frequently to ranging from 4-6 times per day. In
addition, nurses and caretakers need to conduct regular checks so as to
change them as soon as they are soiled
 A survey was done on 144 nurses and caregivers, and it was discovered
that highest percentage (91%) of pressure ulcer cases was due to
moisture. Other factors include delay in turning, nutrition, dehydration,
protection and improper lifting (Penn, Ward, Strande, & Maurer, 2018)

Cont…
 The common sources of moisture being urine perspiration and
faeces, the device will be able to detect presence of faeces and
urine in the diapers as well as moisture.
 The device’s key features are the Microbits, buzzer and LED
lights
 The prototype was tested in the presence of 50 participants,
this was achieved by exposing the device to moisture and the
sensor worked pretty well. The participants would consider
buying a price set at $40. The device is user friendly, and its
operating frequency is stronger within a distance of 17 meters.

Prototype description
 The device comprises of moisture detector, buzzer, LED and Microbits.
 The moisture sensor can either be incorporated into the diapers during
is manufacturing or used as a strap-on on already manufactured
diapers. When moisture content in the diapers reaches set content
levels, the sensor becomes an energy source feeding the Microbits. The
microbits then transmit the signal to the receiver (located near nurses
and caregiver work station), which in turn produce a buzz of sound and
a flashing LED lights, or any alert system of the ward. Once the nurses
and caregivers receive the alarm, they will respond to it and change the
diapers immediately.

Benefits and limitations of the
device
 The device will significantly raise the quality of care given to the patients
 The device will increase work efficiency of a nurse or a caregiver
 The device increases caregiver/nurse’s work satisfaction
 The device will reduce workload of caregivers and reduces occupational
hazards
 The device will improve patient’s comfort , satisfaction, skin and life
quality
 The device’s radio wave coverage is lower, approximately 17m and
poses a risk of transmitting infections when re-used.

Conclusion
 The smart moisture detector presented is optimized for a low cost, it is
user friendly, it promotes quality of care given to patients among other
benefits. The target market for this product is the hospitals and care
units for the elderly. The device will help in reducing the development
of pressure ulcers which has high prevalence among the elderly
patients
 With increased funding and adequate professional support, the smart
moisture can be developed further and this will significantly improve
services offered in care units and more benefits to the user

References
Khalik, S. (2016). Hospitals ramp up battle against bed sores. Retrieved from
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/hospitals-ramp-up-battle-against-bed
-sores
. Accessed January 18, 2020.
Penn, R., Ward, B. J., Strande, L., & Maurer, M. (2018). Review of synthetic human
faeces and faecal sludge for sanitation and wastewater research. Water
Research, 132, 222–240. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2017.12.063.
Rasero, L., Simonetti, M., Falciani, F., Fabbri, C., Collini, F., & Dal Molin, A. (2015).
Pressure ulcers in older adults: a prevalence study. Advances in skin & wound
care, 28(10), 461-464.