Prevention made real: BBI (Europe) Ltd’s innovative technology delivering 90% (weighted) reduction1 in Pressure lnjuries/Pressure Ulcers incidence in Acute Care Sites
BBI is a pioneer in biometric-sensor based medical devices, developing point of care diagnostic solutions for early identification and monitoring of chronic, preventable conditions. In the European market since 2014, BBI’s first product to market was the SEM Scanner, which is a hand-held, wireless device which objectively alerts clinicians to specific anatomical areas of a patient’s body at increased risk for developing pressure injuries/pressure ulcers (PI/PUs).2
BBI was founded in 2009 through a technology license from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a relentless commitment to using technology to improve the way that health care is delivered.
In 2019, the SEM Scanner received recognition and accreditation for its innovative technology and evidence based results across a number of international territories:
In 2020, BBI is launching ProvizioTM SEM Scanner: the next generation SEM Scanner and the first hand-held, wireless PI/PU risk assessment device with data transfer capabilities. By digitally enhancing the existing care pathway across all healthcare settings, BBI is creating a new paradigm for PI/PU prevention.
The scale of the PI/PU problem in the UK
PI/PUs can unfortunately affect anyone who is immobile for a period of time, with the elderly and chronically ill being at most risk. Despite being mostly avoidable, PI/PUs are the most reported cause of harm in the NHS4; causing acute pain, extending stays in hospital and even leading to fatal complications in severe cases.5
Figures from BBI research estimates one out of every 22 people in England currently have an open wound on their skin caused by a PI/PU and 14 per cent of these expose the bone6.
The care of PI/PUs places a significant drain on already stretched healthcare services in the UK. Research from NHS Improvement7 shows that treating pressure damage costs the NHS more than £3.8m per day, and that a huge 1,700-2,000 patients per month develop PI/PUs.
Figures obtained under a Freedom of Information request from NHS Resolution (formerly the NHS Litigation Authority) reveal the increasing financial impact of pressure ulcer claims against NHS Trusts from the year 2014/15 to 2017/18 (latest figures available) 8:
43% increase in the number of claims received for PI/PUs from 279 to 399
A total of £72,404,574 paid in claims during these four years and an increase of 53% from £13,618,669 (2014/15) to £20,828,669 (2017/18)
Through collaborating with medical institutions, BBI has demonstrated the SEM Scanner, when used as an adjunct to current standard of care, can identify increased risk of PI/PUs on the sacrum and heels five days*2 before it becomes visible on the skin surface. This is welcome for patients at risk, as not all incipient damage will progress to a PI/PU especially when anatomically-specific interventions are applied before damage manifests at the skin’s surface. The SEM Scanner has been proven to result in an 90% (weighted) reduction in hospital acquired PI/PUs in Acute Care sites whilst a 47% reduction was shown in a Hospice Care facility and lastly 27% reduction in Community Care.1
Commenting on these figures, Martin Burns, CEO, BBI said “We do not need to see increasing PI/PU numbers like this, especially when devices like the new ProvizioTM SEM Scanner can make prevention a reality. A growing number of Tissue Viability Nurses (TVNs) have developed their own updated care protocols and are using these collaboratively with BBI’s innovative technology to achieve reductions in PI/PUs incidence; on average achieving an 90% (weighted) reduction in Acute Care sites1. This updated approach is allowing these forward-thinking TVNs to keep their patients free from harm, freeing up NHS beds, using less nursing time to treat patients with PI/PUs , and are saving their facilities money.”
Used in UK
To date in the UK&I alone, BBI has collaborated with more than 46 different healthcare facilities who now have experience of using BBI’s SEM Scanner within a number of different settings including:
Medical
Orthopedic
Elderly Care
Intensive Care
Vascular Care
End Of Life Care
Surgical
Stroke / Rehabilitation
Renal
The SEM Scanner is CE Mark approved. It is currently in full commercial launch in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Canada, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Australia and the USA.
Award-winning
Over the past three years, the evidence based results and innovative technology of the SEM Scanner has been recognised with it receiving seven major awards, including:
In selecting the SEM Scanner from technologies across all health care fields, judges for Health Service Journal, which covers publicly-funded healthcare, said: “This winner was a genuine game changer. It uses physics to change the way this condition is identified and prevented through earlier treatment. This has a massive impact for patients across hospitals and the community and has applicability across all economies in the UK. It will save substantial amounts of money and time for the NHS.”
PI/PU Prevention Advisory Board (supported by an educational grant by BBI (Europe) Ltd – established 2017)
Its aim: To review and develop PI/PU prevention guidance and risk assessment tools in clinical practice, education and research. The aim being to improve clinical knowledge, patient experience and drive quality outcomes.
In 2019 the Advisory Board released a booklet ‘Implementing Early Identification of Increased Risk of Pressure Ulcer in Care Pathways’.
Its members:
ENDS
References
*Median
About BBI:
BBI (Bruin Biometrics), is a pioneer in modernising health care with biometric sensor technology for early identification and monitoring of chronic, preventable conditions in collaboration with clinicians. BBI has been the recipient of multiple awards with recognition from organisations such as Journal of Wound Care, Health Service Journal and Frost & Sullivan. BBI is based in Los Angeles and maintains a European office in Manchester, UK.
For additional information, visit www.sem-scanner.com