Smart Moisture Detector Project: Reducing Pressure Ulcer Incidence

This project details the development and evaluation of a smart moisture detector designed to reduce the incidence of pressure ulcers in elderly and bedridden patients. The introduction highlights the prevalence of pressure ulcers, emphasizing that moisture is a primary contributing factor. The project aims to reduce moisture exposure, improve patient quality of life, and decrease the workload of nurses and caregivers. The methodology describes the causes of pressure ulcers, with a focus on moisture, and details the data collection process from nurses and caregivers. The device prototype, consisting of a microbits, buzzer, and LED lights, is designed to detect moisture in diapers and alert caregivers. The prototype was tested and received positive feedback, with participants willing to purchase the device. The benefits include improved patient care, increased work efficiency for nurses, and reduced occupational hazards. The limitations include the device's limited radio wave coverage and potential for infection transmission. The conclusion emphasizes the device's cost-effectiveness, user-friendliness, and potential to significantly improve care in hospitals and care units. This project provides a comprehensive overview of the design, testing, and potential impact of the smart moisture detector on healthcare for the elderly.

Introduction
The first point of the introduction part defines what pressure ulcers, pressure ulcers is also known
as bedsores. A research has been done, and it shows the disease (pressure ulcers) is prevalent is
elderly people and those patients that are bedridden. According to Khalik research paper, it
reveals that in every ten elderly patients that are admitted in hospitals one has pressure ulcers or
is a higher risk of getting one.
Another research done by another scholars (Rasero, Simonetti, Falciani… (refer to the
reference)) reveals that 50 percent of 50.75% of the elderly population under study were
accessed to have a higher risk of developing pressure ulcers and other 24.66% of the population
under study was found to have already developed the disease.
To reduce the prevalence of the pressure ulcers that is common to the elderly, (that is, the
solution to the problem stated in the first two paragraphs), a device known as smart moisture
detector is created. Moisture is main cause of the disease. The device will help in detecting the
presence of moisture of exposure to moisture, from there it is averted.
Aims
The moisture detector gives an alarm to the nurses or caregivers when the diapers used by the
elderly is soiled by either faeces or urine. Once the signal is given, they will change diapers as
soon as they are soiled. This improves the patient’s quality of life as time exposed to the
moisture is reduced and eventually prevalence is pressure ulcers is reduced. Another aim of the
project is to reduce workload to the caregivers and nurses. Rather than manual and regular check
up of the patience they are being alerted by the device. Their work merely to respond to the
alarms. And the last one is to reduce development of pressure ulcers due to moisture.
Methodology
Factors that causes the development of ulcers include: Moisture, delay in turning, improper
lifting, insufficient nutrition, dehydration, insufficient protection to patients and others. Among
the factors mentioned above, cases of pressure ulcers development due to moisture is at 91% ,
followed by delay in turning (refer to the chart in the poster). Since moisture is the major cause
of pressure ulcers, designing the detector will greatly reduce the development of pu.
The data is collected from nurses and caregivers. the prevalence of pressure ulcers is higher for
the elderly (57.1%), the survey also reveals, the diapers need to be frequently changed to reduce
the risk. But how frequent should the diapers be changed-4-6 times per day depending on the
lifestyle among the factors. Before the development of smart moisture detector, nurses and
caregivers would do manual and regular check on their patient’s diapers to know if they have
already soil them, and that proves to be cumbersome.

The device developed (smart moisture detector) is used to detect presence of moisture, urine and
faeces in patient’s diapers.
About the prototype
The device has a microbits, buzzer and LED lights. Microbits primarily transmits information
from the user’s diaper to the main unit (caregiver and nurse’s station). The main unit has a
buzzer and LED lights that will produce an alarm together with flashing lights.
Once the implementation of the device was complete, the prototype was tested in the presence of
fifty participants, by exposing it to moisture. The prototype functioned as expected. The
prototype received positive recommendation from the participants. Many would buy at the cost
of $40 we set for the device. The device is easy to use and its radiofrequency works 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 limitation of the device
The device will significantly raise the quality of care given to the patients as they won’t stay
longer with the soiled diapers unnoticed.
The device will increase work efficiency of a nurse or a caregiver- the patient will only be
attended when there is a need.
The device increases caregiver/nurse’s work satisfaction- caregivers and nurses will be happy
and satisfied with the efficient work
The device will reduce workload of caregivers and reduces occupational hazards- they are
notified only when the diapers are soiled thus unnecessary check-up is avoided.
The device will improve patient’s comfort, satisfaction, skin and life quality
The limitations of the device - 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