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Routine foot checks are a proven way to support healthy feet and identify risk areas in individuals with diabetes and peripheral neuropathy.
Unfortunately, it can be challenging for patients to do this daily on their own. And let’s face it, seeing a patient’s feet once every month, or even longer, risks missing issues that can lead to severe and costly consequences.
That’s why Bluedrop has developed the OneStep Foot Scanner and EveryStep Monitoring Service to enable daily foot checks, with minimal effort from patients at home.
Once referred to us, we engage the patient to educate on the scanner and monitoring service. We also coordinate delivery. Once received, patients need only unbox the scanner, plug it in, and connect to wifi. If they do not have home wifi, we provide a 4G router that simply requires plugging in before the scanner. Once connected, the patient can begin scanning. No app download, online registration or other administration is required.
Rocks, coins and other small objects can often become embedded in the feet of individuals with peripheral neuropathy without their knowledge. As we know, these otherwise harmless items can cause serious issues for patients, and unfortunately can lead to severe consequences such as infected wounds and amputation if not caught. As these appear on scans, we are able to notify the patient to remove.
Acute physical trauma to the foot may go unnoticed by individuals with peripheral neuropathy. We are able to immediately identify and escalate to prescribers as needed. In addition, gradual changes to foot curvature overtime can start to shift points of contact and pressure distribution which may lead to changes in foot care for these individuals. We are able to provide this insight to prescribers to support their ongoing care of the patient.
Changing or excessive callousing, corns, blisters and other skin abnormalities may lead to the development of an ulcer. We are able to identify and monitor these abnormalities and provide coaching to the patient to mitigate risk. We also engage with prescribers in instances where proper medical attention is required.
Whether acute or a result of damage/pressure over time, we are able to immediately identify wounds and ulcers as they present and direct the patient to take immediate action and refer to prescribers for attention where needed.
Dirty feet are commonly detected in scans. This can mean the patient is walking barefoot in an environment where their feet may be damaged. In these instances, we take the opportunity to ask the patient to clean their feet and remind them of the risks associated with walking barefoot.
Several studies support the use of temperature monitoring to detect areas of the foot that are at risk of presenting with a diabetic foot ulcer. In fact, evidence suggests that 70% of ulcers may be avoided by using temperature monitoring to identify “hot spots” on the foot. Our system captures temperature across over 100 points on each foot with every scan to identify hot spots. We then engage directly with patients to notify and advise on steps to alleviate risk.
In these cases, we review the visual images to ensure a wound isn’t present. If no wound or other issue is detected visually, we will continue to monitor.
In these cases, we speak to the patients to learn more about their activity that day. We advise on general ways to alleviate pressure on their feet and direct to follow any foot care instructions from their doctor. If the trend persists beyond 3 consecutive scans, we will alert the prescriber.
Are you ready to begin using Bluedrop with your patients? Contact us here to get started!