Capio Geriatrics in Sollentuna works on pressure ulcer innovation

Sweden's population is getting older. By 2030, it is estimated that one in four people will be over 65, and with this in mind, Capio Sverige Geriatrics in Sollentuna has started up new care initiatives for the elderly. The aim is to ensure a safe return home, good care at home, and prevent readmission to the emergency room, by investing in innovative solutions.

According to recent statistics from Swedish authorities, almost every tenth inpatient develops a pressure ulcer during their hospital stay. Capio Geriatrics has after a Ramsay Santé Innovation & Partnership Hub Pitching day chosen to evaluate the PU sensor for quality improvement work in pressure ulcer prevention. Because the need does not end when the hospital stay does:

- We are among the first to offer an extension of geriatric inpatient care in the patient's home for the most fragile patients, says Kristin Ivarsson , a specialist nurse at Capio Geriatrics. The work also includes constantly striving to improve the quality of care.

Innovative approach

Every year, tens of thousands of patients suffer from infected pressure ulcers, which cause a lot of suffering for the individual and high costs in the billions for healthcare. At Capio Geriatrics, a project is therefore underway, in collaboration with the medical technology company @PU sensor, to prevent pressure ulcers. It is a sensor and a patented method developed from research.

- In 2021, 14% of patients in inpatient care had pressure ulcers. Three out of four had developed the ulcers while hospitalised. This is a huge problem, even in elderly care, says Johannes Walfridsson , CEO of PU sensor.

Although there is a high level of awareness and knowledge about pressure ulcers in healthcare, until now there has been no reliable and objective method to make a safe risk assessment of those patients who are at high risk of developing pressure ulcers.

- The accuracy of the subjective methods used is insufficient. With our method, the presence of PIV, pressure-induced microcirculation, can be evaluated. Then the right people can receive preventive measures to minimize the suffering and costs of pressure ulcers,' says Johannes Walfridsson.

The PU sensor project is now being implemented in home care

- It is part of our ongoing quality work. If we can identify patients at risk of pressure ulcers at an early stage, it creates great benefits, both for society and not least for the patients," says Kristin Ivarsson.

Otherwise, home care consists of following up patients who are discharged from inpatient care and are deemed to have a continuing need for care. The follow-up is done by Capio's multi-professional geriatric team within 72 hours. By referral, the team can also take over medical responsibility from primary care. In the event of a new need for emergency care, the patient can also be offered a fast track to a geriatric care place at the home clinic.

- The aim is to reduce the number of re-admissions to acute hospitals, but also to ensure that older people have a safe and secure transition home. We also have a responsibility to further develop care and improve quality," says Kristin Ivarsson.

Creating security for patients

The geriatric team, which is physically stationed at Sollentuna Hospital in the Stockholm area, consists of a nurse, assistant nurse, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, counselor, dietician, speech therapist, and doctor. It is a team of driven people who all want to develop care forward and create security for both patients and relatives.

- I feel that I am making a difference every day by creating security and continuity for our patients and their relatives with good resources behind me. This job is the most fun I've had in my career. To be involved in developing collaborations with PU sensor that can benefit our patients in such a concrete way is particularly enjoyable," concludes Kristin Ivarsson.