Healthcare Digital August 2021 | Page 45

HOSPITALS

Femtech . The global femtech aka female technology market is expected to surge in the coming years . Women of Wearables ( WoW ) is a worldwide organisation that connects and promotes women in wearable tech across sectors , including healthcare , wellness , IoT and more .

Wearable thermometers . As a result of COVID-19 temperature checks have become a normal part of entering public places . Fitbit and Huami make smartwatches that monitor rises in temperature ; combined with data analysis this could help researchers track viral transmission and prevent an outbreak .

DR . STEVEN LEBOEUF PRESIDENT AND CO-FOUNDER , VALENCELL

In a randomised controlled clinical trial at Canada ' s Lawson Health Research Institute , 221 transplant patients were either given a conventional compression stocking or the geko™ device for six days after their operation .

Researchers found that the patients wearing geko™ had less fluid retention as they were able to urinate more frequently . They experienced 31 per cent less swelling , and were able to return home several days earlier than patients wearing the compression stocking .

Perhaps the most remarkable outcome was the reduction in surgical site infections by nearly 60 per cent . Infections acquired in hospitals remain a huge problem worldwide , and transplant patients are at a particularly higher risk because of the immunosuppressant medication they need after an operation .

Dr . Alp Sener , who led the trial , said : " The study results have been both surprising and exciting . Not only have we cut down wound infection rates , but we have also seen a considerable improvement in the new organ ' s function following transplantation . Patients reported feeling more satisfied with the transplant process and are more mobile ."

Sener is the Chair and Chief of Urology at Western University in Ontario . He added : " Reducing infection means a much better outcome for the patient and considering

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