Wearable Healthcare Technology: Change the Practice, Not the Dressing

QNRF-funded research projects lead to development of a unique wound monitoring device marked by a reputable spin off company

In the last few years, wearable technology has become immensely popular. This has led to an increase in demand for a range of gadgets and smart watches as more people are taking a proactive interest in monitoring and improving their health.
As a result, there has been an exponential increase in the growth of the wearable technology industry and forecasts suggest that its market share could increase to more than USD 50 billion in the next 3 to 5 years. This is quite significant as this figure is more than twice the industry’s worth in 2018.
Along with an increase in demand from customers, there is also a rising interest from healthcare providers for leveraging the benefits of wearable technology. The medical industry can use this technology to innovate and improve existing methods of diagnosing illnesses and preventing them. Moreover, it can also help healthcare practitioners in prescribing effective personalized treatment plans.
One such innovative wearable device has been developed thanks to a QNRF NPRP-funded project titled, 'Sensors for Advanced Wound Care' (Project ID: NPRP4-603-3-179). This research project brought together researchers from the University of Strathclyde and Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) to develop a unique device that uses the latest technology to revolutionize the conventional methods of wound monitoring and documentation.
Named “WoundSense”, the device is the first ‘In–Dressing’ moisture sensor that can be used by patients, healthcare practitioners, and clinicians to establish when a wound dressing needs changing.
One of the biggest benefits of this device is that it heals wounds faster as the natural healing process of the wound is uninterrupted. The research team achieved this feat by placing the sensor inside the dressing, so it is unobtrusive.
Along with monitoring the wound, WoundSense also helps healthcare professionals and patients monitor moisture levels and detect any infection to administer immediate and effective care. 
The device has received great appreciation in the healthcare industry and is available in the market. Highlighting the importance of such devices, lead principal investigator of the project, Professor Dr. Patricia Connolly from the University of Strathclyde commented: “QNRF was far-sighted in funding this project. Today we can see the rapid growth of home monitoring products and wearable technologies, including WoundSense, that can support patients, lead to better clinical outcomes, and save staff time and costs. We have made WoundSense available through the Strathclyde spin-out company Ohmedics Ltd, and we continue to have research links to Hamad Medical Corporation for wearables sensors working with Dr Ihab Seoudi. The funding was instrumental in establishing this ongoing collaboration.”
Along with ensuring better treatment of wounds, WoundSense also saves both the patient and the healthcare providers money, time, and effort incurred in the treatment of wounds.
Research carried out in the Hamad hospitals in collaboration with Strathclyde showed that 45% of wound dressing changes in hospitals are unnecessary. Similarly, a study of home wound dressing changes revealed that 43% of dressings were unnecessary and counterproductive as the healing process is disturbed.
Similarly, WoundSense helps lessen the burden on the pocket as estimates suggest that removing the need for unnecessary home care visits for dressing changes per week can save the health system a minimum of $500 in a six-week treatment period, as well as 6 hours of community staff time per patient.
At a time when there is a rise in biomedical research and an increasing need to find vaccines and treatments for new diseases emerging around the world, innovations such as WoundSense help the healthcare industry to save money that can be better invested in R&D to help strengthen the global healthcare system.