A Fuzzy Proactive System to Prevent Pressure Ulcers Acquired Via Prolonged Ailing Patients

Pressure ulcers acquired in the sick patients have emerged as one of the major problems that affect approximately one of twenty patients who are admitted for sudden illnesses. These ulcers often take place when patients cannot move themselves to change their position in a bed. Traditionally, the development of HAPUs, or Hospital Acquired Pressure Ulcers, is minimized through their turning every 2 hours to alternate to lateral and supine positions, and by pressure redistributing mattresses. Difficulty in continuous monitoring of patient position, lack of turn reminders/alerts and suboptimal caregiver staffing ratio increases the occurrence of Pressure Ulcer. A new approach towards the prevention need related to pressure ulcers is proposed especially for bedridden patients at home. The method includes a wearable device which continuously monitors the patient's position and communicates with caregiver when a patient turn is in due.