Smith & Nephew to purchase Leaf Healthcare

Smith & Nephew has agreed to acquire Leaf Healthcare, a developer of the unique leaf patient monitoring system. The company has decided to buy the monitoring devices manufacturer. Leaf Healthcare provides leaf patient monitoring system that has a small, lightweight, wearable sensor that wirelessly monitors a patient’s position and their mobility in the hospital. The tracking data provided by the monitoring device is useful for automating and documenting the compliance with prescribed turn protocols for patients at risk for pressure injuries.

National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP) has recommended a prevention protocol for high-risk patients that include prophylactic foam dressings, preventative skin care including pH balanced skin cleanser, and patient repositioning with early mobilization. The leaf patient monitoring system together with Smith & Nephew’s Allevyn Life, Allevyn Gentle Border, and Secura skin care products is expected to provide a comprehensive portfolio to help customers achieve and optimize pressure injury prevention protocols. The leaf patient monitoring system is highly complementary to wound portfolio and also provides the opportunities of expanding this product within Smith and Nephew’s global portfolio. The acquisition is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2019.