Technology


A thermal camera, with its instant and highly intuitive output, will highlight inflammation and help identify regions and sources of pain surrounding bone fractures, entrapped nerves, muscular trigger points, and arthritis.


Crucially, thermography can be used to diagnose pain objectively – invaluable when the resident is unable to communicate effectively through dementia or other conditions.


A thermal imaging system is cost effective So how much does a thermal imaging system cost? Thermal cameras alone can be a few hundred to tens of thousands of pounds, but it is important to find a thermography solution that is easy and intuitive to use and can be used for multiple morbidities.


Thermidas’ solution includes a multipurpose Android tablet with a modern user interface and versatile real-time analysis tools, along with a thermal camera with clinical-level thermal resolution of 384x288 (110,592) pixels. It captures both visual and thermal images simultaneously. The thermal camera has a temperature accuracy of ±2°C or two per cent of reading and can detect temperature changes as small as ±0.05°C. If we assume the average care home has


33 beds, then the total cost of treating the average three residents with PIs and three with foot ulcers is around £2,700 per month. A thermal system could reduce these costs by 80 per cent, and the investment would be projected to be recouped within a period of less than five months.


Potential for litigation Pressure injuries (PIs) are now seen as preventable injuries. Care home operators should be aware of the trend for litigation related to alleged negligence in preventing them. In the USA, more than 17,000 lawsuits22


Benefits of thermography to care home residents


The ongoing benefits to residents of care homes adopting a daily thermography screening programme would be: n Improved welfare and health. n Early alerts for potentially serious health issues (PIs, DFUs, DVTs etc), all of which can be effectively dealt with if caught early enough.


n Enhanced chronic pain management . n Decrease in hospitalisations. n Better quality of life.


These benefits will provide significant reassurance to both residents and their families.


Benefits of thermography to care home operators Integrating thermography into daily routines in care homes can offer several financial and welfare benefits: n Reduced healthcare costs. n Improved staff efficiency. n Enhanced resident health and satisfaction. n Greater compliance and risk management. n Higher occupancy rates due to improved reputation.


n Potential for premium pricing.


are filed annually for PI claims. In 2022, the NHS incurred litigation damages amounting to £23.5 m related to pressure injuries. This represents a 72 per cent increase from 2015, when £13.6 m was paid out. These figures do not account for the costs incurred by the NHS in defending personal injury claims related to pressure ulcers, which were reported to exceed £72.4 m over the period from 2014 to 201823. Whilst most cases (80-90 per cent) are


settled out of court for approximately £20- £30,000, more recent cases show a trend towards much higher settlements.24


42


Conclusions Thermography has a brief learning curve, and with appropriate training and support, it quickly becomes a cost-effective and time-efficient tool for enhancing care in residential settings. The initial investment in thermography equipment can be offset by rapid, long-term savings in healthcare costs and improved operational efficiency. By integrating thermography into


routine practice, care providers can achieve significant improvements in the early detection, prevention, and management of diabetic foot ulcers, pressure injuries, DVTs, chronic pain, and other morbidities. This approach ultimately improves outcomes for


Stephen Taylor


Stephen Taylor is responsible for Thermidas in the UK and Ireland. Thermidas provides revolutionary diagnostic tools using thermal imaging to identify and diagnose underlying pathology aimed at the early detection and prevention of pressure injuries, diabetic foot ulcers, and vascular diseases, as well as other morbidities including DVTs and identifying sources of pain. Stephen has a BSc in Electrical and Electronic Engineering and an MBA – both from The University of Strathclyde in Glasgow.


residents and reduces caregiver burden. This adaptability of thermal imaging aligns with the Enhanced Health in Care Homes Framework,25


which emphasises


minimising unplanned hospital admissions through personalised, proactive care. Thermal imaging technology can lead to substantial savings for care providers, enhance care home operational efficiency, and improve the quality of life for residents. Ultimately, thermography enables a


proactive approach, facilitating a switch from reactive to preventive care, thereby achieving significant and measurable health and financial benefits.


References available on request


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www.thecarehomeenvironment.com March 2025


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