Thermal imaging for care homes
Early Diagnostics
Assessment of the location and extent of the problem area and observation of changes before clinical signs appearPain & MSD
Verification, observation, and documentation of pain and musculoskeletal disordersMonitoring and Rehabilitation
Monitoring the effectiveness of treatment and rehabilitation progress using thermal imagingThermal Comfort
Thermal comfort modelling of residents with different perception of heat (minimise cold or heat strain)Subtle health changes are often missed in care home populations
Residents with neuropathy, limited mobility, or cognitive impairment may not feel or communicate symptoms. As a result:
- Early inflammation can progress before it is recognized
- Local temperature changes often precede visible skin breakdown
- Hospital transfers frequently originate from preventable complications
- Staff variation and time pressure reduce assessment consistency
“We were able to make faster medical decisions, resulting in better outcomes, decreasing the use of expensive diagnostic exams, and in one case avoid a toe amputation.”
Infrared thermography is a timely and reliable method for nursing practitioners in pressure injury risk assessment.
Fuman Cai, 2020. Application of infrared thermography in the early warning of pressure injury: a prospective observational study
In the aforementioned study, 415 patients admitted to the adult intensive care units were enrolled by a convenience sampling method, and they received a follow-up monitoring for 10 days.
The risk of pressure injury was assessed via Braden scale, and thermal images of the sacral area were obtained by infrared thermal imager once a day.
Early detection of pressure ulcers: A game-changer for care homes
Early detection of pressure ulcers is becoming a critical priority in care homes, where even small changes in skin condition can rapidly escalate into serious health risks. Thermography offers a proactive way to spot temperature anomalies before visible symptoms appear. Thermal imaging helps protect vulnerable residents, reduce treatment burdens, and elevate the overall quality of care by giving caregivers fast, actionable insights
“We use the device for a large number of cases and our experiences have been very positive. We can recommend the device for various clients.”
Stefanie Ott
Dominikus-Ringeisen-Werk
Case Example
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
- IRT is the preferred method for initial DVT investigation (over ultrasound and venography)
- Fast, easy, non-invasive, risk-free
- Instant, highly intuitive output
- Provides considerable cost savings
- IRT initial test of choice before proceeding to other more complex and expensive tests
Kaçmaz, Seydi & Erçelebi, Ergun & Zengin, Suat & Cindoruk, Sener. (2017). The Use of Infrared Thermal Imaging in the Diagnosis of Deep Vein Thrombosis. Infrared Physics & Technology. 86. 10.1016/j.infrared.2017.09.005.
Almost 80 % of Pressure Ulcers are not reported, yet absorb 55 % of costs in the UK
- The Care Quality Commission requires reporting of Stage 3 and 4 pressure ulcers under statutory duty of candour
- Some 55 % of care home costs related to pressure ulcers are spent treating Stage 1 and 3 Pressure Ulcers
- Manual skin checks are prone to human error, often resulting in missed early signs and delayed treatment
- Early detection is key – advanced-stage ulcers can be prevented by promptly identifying and managing Stage 1 and Stage 2 Pressure Ulcers
| PU Stage | Percent of Care Home Residents (1) | Residents Affected | PU-related Expenditure (2) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Stage I |
5.0 % |
22,074 |
15.4 % |
|
Stage II |
3.4 % |
15,010 |
38.9 % |
|
Stage III |
1.5 % |
6,622 |
27.6 % |
|
Stage IV |
0.8 % |
3,532 |
18.0 % |
|
Totals |
10.7 % |
47,238 |
100 % |
Assumes UK Care Home residents = 441,479
(1) Sugathapala RDUP, et al. Prevalence and incidence of pressure injuries among older people living in nursing homes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Nurs Stud. 2023 Dec;148:104605. doi: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2023.104605. Epub 2023 Sep 14. PMID: 37801939.
(2) NHS Pressure Ulcers: Productivity Calculator
Recommended solution
Thermidas IRT-384 Tablet
The IRT-384 Tablet provides a quick and cost-effective solution for locating problem areas and monitoring the effectiveness of treatment.
Thermal imaging also supports the client’s understanding of rehabilitation progress by providing clear, objective information on the effects of treatment.
Case: Pressure ulcer prevention
- 78-year-old male, retirement home resident
- Paralysis of the left side of the body due to a cerebral infarction
- Fully bedridden, cannot sit up without assistance or change sides independently
- A thermal image was taken in connection with a routine physiotherapy session
- The thermal image revealed a high-risk area of ulceration on the paralyzed side of the back which was not yet visible to the naked eye
- As a result, healthcare personnel were able to commit daily measures (assisted sitting, frequent side changes) to prevent the formation of an ulcer