Use of a Remote Temperature Monitoring Mat for the Early Identification of Foot Ulcers.

INTRODUCTION

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are responsible for considerable morbidity, mortality, and cost. Remote temperature monitoring (RTM) is an evidenced-based and recommended component of standard foot care for at-risk patients. Although previous research has demonstrated the value of RTM for foot ulcer prevention, its benefits related to the early identification of diabetic foot complications may be underappreciated.

OBJECTIVE

This article presents a case series supporting the use of RTM for early identification of DFUs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The cases of 4 veteran patients who presented consecutively with inflammation, which was detected by a telemedicine temperature monitoring mat, are reported. The authors collected subjective history from each patient via telephone outreach and triaged these patients according to standard diabetic foot care recommendations.

RESULTS

Each patient required a clinical exam prompted by the mat and the patient's subjective history. In each case, the patient required callus debridement upon which a pre-ulcerative lesion or partial-thickness wound was discovered. The DFUs in these 4 cases healed quickly and without complication. In 2 of the cases, the outreach prompted by the mat reestablished specialist foot care after a prolonged period without routine exam.

CONCLUSIONS

In each of these cases, the RTM mat detected inflammation accompanying a preulcerative lesion or a partial-thickness wound, allowing for timely intervention and treatment, including debridement and offloading, which may have the potential to improve care and reduce morbidity, mortality, and costs.