The Science is Clear

Using Sub-Epidermal Moisture Level as an Indicator of Early Pressure Damage to Local Skin and Tissue.

December 1, 2019

Aim: The primary aim of this study was to determine whether levels of SEM from repeated measures at a localized area confirm the absence of a pressure injury at that site in healthy participants.

Phantom Testing of the Sensitivity and Precision of a Sub-Epidermal Moisture Scanner.

March 1, 2019

Aim: In the present work, the SEM Scanner was tested under controlled laboratory conditions to experimentally determine its sensitivity and precision in identifying small (1ml) water content changes in phantoms of the human heel and skull/face, which simulated common pressure injury development scenarios.

End-User Perceptions of Sub-Epidermal Moisture Scanning (SEMS) Acceptability: A Descriptive Qualitative Study.

November 1, 2014

Clinical Impact of a Sub-Epidermal Moisture Scanner: What Is the Real-World Use?

May 1, 2009

Prevention and Treatment of Pressure Ulcers/Injuries: International Clinical Practice Guideline (2019)

July 1, 1905

Recommendation 2.6: “Consider using a sub-epidermal moisture/oedema measurement device as an adjunct to routine clinical skin assessment.” Recommendation 2.7: When assessing darkly pigmented skin, “consider assessment of skin temperature and sub-epidermal moisture as important adjunct assessment strategies.”

Evidence Based Practice Recommendation

July 1, 1905

EBP Recommendation: Use Sub-epidermal moisture scanner to reduce PI incidence

Cost-effectiveness of subepidermal moisture measurement to prevent hospital-acquired pressure ulcers

July 1, 1905

Aim: The objective of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of adding measurement of SEM to current standard of care (SoC), with the aim of reducing the incidence of hospital-acquired pressure ulcers

Sub-Epidermal Moisture is Associated With Early Pressure Ulcer Damage in Nursing Home Residents With Dark Skin Tones

July 1, 1905

Aim: To examine the relationship between a measure of skin and tissue water, sub-epidermal moisture (SEM), and visual assessment of early pressure injury damage in nursing home (NH) residents with dark skin tones.