Pittsburgh, Pa., Aug. 13,
2024 /PRNewswire/ - MolecuLight Corp., the global
leader in fluorescence imaging technology for real-time detection
of harmful bacteria in wound care, is proudly reaffirmed in their
commitment to equitable wound care with a recent publication by
lead author Dr. Charles Andersen and
colleagues, "Bacterial Fluorescence Imaging to Address Racial
Inequities in Wound Infection Assessment," published in the
Advances in Skin & Wound Care journal.
The article highlights the systemic inequities in healthcare
that fuel preventable suffering and premature death among racial
and ethnic minority populations. A prime example is the stark
disparity in diabetes outcomes: nationwide surveys led by the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that in
2019, Black Americans were twice as likely to die from diabetes
complications than White Americansi. This alarming
statistic is a grim reminder of the higher rates of diabetes,
obesity, and other chronic health conditions plaguing these
communities, driven by a complex web of factors including limited
access and suboptimal quality of healthcare.
Disproportionally poor health outcomes are near-universal for
Black Americans, including wounds. Between 2013-2014, Black
Americans with diabetic ulcers in rural areas faced double the risk
of major leg amputation or death following hospitalization compared
to their White counterparts residing in similar
regionsii. "There are now technologies that can identify
more Black patients with wound infections who can be treated more
efficaciously to prevent infection complications including
gangrene, sepsis, and amputations," says Dr. Jonathan Johnson, study co-author and health
equity advocate.
According to Dr. Johnson, "Delayed diagnosis of wound infection
is a major determinant for poor outcomes, as it delays
intervention. This allows infections to fester and escalate in
severity, as highlighted in our article on MolecuLight and health
equity. Wound assessment tools that promote timely and equitable
infection detection should be a focus for all stakeholders,
including providers, payers, and policymakers alike."
"Medical curricula have historically failed to equip wound care
clinicians with the knowledge and skills to accurately identify
signs of infection on dark skin. Textbook examples predominantly
feature Caucasian skin, leaving clinicians unaware that classic
signs like erythema can manifest as burgundy or dark purple on
darker skin tones," warns Dr. Charles
Andersen, a renowned vascular surgeon and lead author of the
publication. He continues, "This critical gap in training has
devastating consequences, especially for Black, diabetic patients
who often present with the most subtle signs of wound infection.
MolecuLight fluorescence imaging offers a solution to this critical
problem, empowering clinicians with a uniquely objective tool that
detects bacteria regardless of skin tone leading to faster
intervention, more accurate treatment, and reduced
complications."
MolecuLight's unique ability to instantly detect bacteria on
wounds, regardless of skin tone, empowers clinicians to make timely
and informed treatment decisions, improving patient outcomes and
promoting equitable care. MolecuLight's class II FDA-cleared
devices are sold and distributed globally for bacterial detection
and wound management. The MolecuLight procedure is reimbursable in
all US states. According to Anil Amlani, CEO of MolecuLight, "We
aim to make MolecuLight technology as accessible as possible and to
reduce the health equity gap. We feel this is critical to support
equitable wound care for marginalized populations who often face
reduced access to quality healthcare and emerging diagnostics."
About MolecuLight Corp.
MolecuLight Corp. is a privately owned medical imaging company
with a global presence that manufactures and commercializes the
MolecuLight i:X® and DX™ wound imaging
devices. These are the only class II FDA-cleared
point-of-care imaging devices for the real-time detection of
elevated bacterial burden in wounds. They also provide accurate
digital wound measurement for comprehensive wound management,
supported by strong clinical evidence including over 100
peer-reviewed publications.
____________________________
i U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Office of Minority Health, "Diabetes and African Americans"
[Accessed June 27, 2024] Available from:
https://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/diabetes-and-african-americans
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ii Brennan MB, Powell WR, Kaiksow F,
et al. Association of Race, Ethnicity, and Rurality With Major Leg
Amputation or Death Among Medicare Beneficiaries Hospitalized With
Diabetic Foot Ulcers. JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(4):e228399.
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SOURCE MolecuLight