Effectiveness of Remote Foot Temperature Monitoring

Description

Diabetic foot ulcers are common, debilitating, and costly complications of diabetes, disproportionately impacting Black and rural Veterans. Forty percent of individuals have an ulcer recurrence within a year of ulcer healing and 65% within 5 years. Monitoring plantar foot temperatures is one of the few interventions that reduces the risk of ulcer recurrence. Despite the evidence, adoption has been poor because the original procedures, including the use of handheld thermometers, were burdensome and time-consuming. Podimetrics, a private company, has developed a temperature monitoring system involving a "smart" mat that can wirelessly transmit data and a remote monitoring team that works with VA providers to assist with triage and monitoring. This care model has incredible promise, but has been untested in VA. The investigators propose to conduct a randomized trial to evaluate effectiveness of remote temperature monitoring as well as costs. Additionally, the investigators will evaluate the implementation process, including barriers and facilitators to use among key stakeholders.

Conditions

Diabetic Foot

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

Diabetic foot ulcers are common, debilitating, and costly complications of diabetes, disproportionately impacting Black and rural Veterans. Forty percent of individuals have an ulcer recurrence within a year of ulcer healing and 65% within 5 years. Monitoring plantar foot temperatures is one of the few interventions that reduces the risk of ulcer recurrence. Despite the evidence, adoption has been poor because the original procedures, including the use of handheld thermometers, were burdensome and time-consuming. Podimetrics, a private company, has developed a temperature monitoring system involving a "smart" mat that can wirelessly transmit data and a remote monitoring team that works with VA providers to assist with triage and monitoring. This care model has incredible promise, but has been untested in VA. The investigators propose to conduct a randomized trial to evaluate effectiveness of remote temperature monitoring as well as costs. Additionally, the investigators will evaluate the implementation process, including barriers and facilitators to use among key stakeholders.

Home Foot-temperature Monitoring Through Smart Mat Technology to Improve Access, Equity, and Outcomes in High-risk Patients With Diabetes

Effectiveness of Remote Foot Temperature Monitoring

Condition
Diabetic Foot
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Hines

Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital, Hines, IL, Hines, Illinois, United States, 60141-3030

Richmond

Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center, Richmond, VA, Richmond, Virginia, United States, 23249-0001

Seattle

VA Puget Sound Health Care System Seattle Division, Seattle, WA, Seattle, Washington, United States, 98108-1532

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * Veteran
  • * Diabetes diagnosis
  • * History of foot ulcer (including active ulcer) OR history of lower extremity amputation (including unhealed amputation)
  • * Able to understand/read English
  • * Dementia
  • * Unable to ambulate
  • * Bilateral lower extremity amputation
  • * Ankle brachial index \<0.6 or toe brachial index \<0.5
  • * Currently using in-home temperature monitoring
  • * Prisoner

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to 89 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

VA Office of Research and Development,

Alyson J. Littman, PhD MPH, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, VA Puget Sound Health Care System Seattle Division, Seattle, WA

Study Record Dates

2031-12-31