title: Improving the detection of pressure ulcers using the TMI ImageMed system.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to evaluate a novel infrared imaging device coupled with an intelligent software interface that may provide a more objective means of identifying anatomical sites at risk for pressure ulcer (PrU) development as compared with the Braden Scale for Predicting Pressure Sore Risk.
  
  
  METHODS
  Repeated-measures design.
  
  
  METHODS
  Duke University Medical Center.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred patients admitted to a medical unit at risk for PrUs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Only 5 participants developed early stage PrUs (Stages I and II). However, the infrared imaging device not only predicted all 5 participants to be at risk, but also predicted the anatomical location where the ulcer would develop. The Braden Scale correctly identified 3 of 5 participants who developed PrUs. It was also determined that a temperature variance of 1.5° C was able to accurately predict PrU development.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Infrared imaging using intelligent software may become a promising, objective method for identifying incipient PrUs and provide clinicians with specific anatomical locations for increased preventive interventions.
authors.affiliation: Largo Medical Center, Florida, USA
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Judy
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Brooks
authors.forename: Kristopher
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fennie
authors.forename: Courtney
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lyder
authors.forename: Claude
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Burton
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013817:Thermography; D055815:Young Adult