Starfish of Sweden has entered a collaboration agreement with healthcare and elderly care provider Forenede Care to research, develop, and test an innovative approach to pressure ulcer prevention. Through this partnership, Forenede Care will evaluate Starfish’s groundbreaking platform in real-world healthcare and elderly care settings.
Pressure ulcers remain a significant challenge in both healthcare and eldercare, causing immense suffering for patients and incurring substantial costs for healthcare systems and society. Treating pressure ulcers is both expensive and burdensome for patients, underscoring the critical importance of prevention.
“We have been researching and developing our platform for many years,” says Micael Gustafsson, CEO of Starfish of Sweden. “Now, we are eager to test it in a real-world setting with Forenede Care. This will allow us to evaluate both its impact on patients and its functionality in a healthcare environment. It’s as close to a ‘Real World Evidence’ project as one can get,” concludes Micael.
Starfish’s system features a top layer of small “rubber fingers” rather than a conventional foam mattress with slits, significantly reducing contact surface pressure. Clinical studies show that the Starfish platform enhances microblood flow by 24%, increases oxygen delivery to the skin by 20%, and lowers heat buildup by 4 degrees, all of which substantially reduce the risk of pressure ulcers.
“Pressure ulcers are a serious healthcare issue, causing significant suffering and high societal costs. According to Sweden’s National Board of Health and Welfare, pressure ulcers account for over 9% of all healthcare-related injuries. For us, as an organization deeply involved in eldercare, participating in this important initiative is a given. We have high hopes that this collaboration will make a tangible difference for individuals, society, and the future,” comments Emma Ramde Magnusson, Regional Manager at Forenede Care.
Starfish of Sweden develops innovative and patented solutions to prevent pressure ulcers, a costly problem in healthcare. The platform leverages advanced technology to maintain skin integrity by controlling temperature and moisture, enhancing patient comfort and reducing the risk of skin damage. With a robust patent portfolio and a newly launched licensing model, the company is well-positioned to become a leader across multiple sectors.
Forenede Care is a family-owned company with 7,200 employees working in Elderly Care, Advanced Home Healthcare (ASIH), Specialized Palliative Care (SPSV), and Support for Individuals with Disabilities (LSS). Headquartered in Malmö, our mission is to make a difference—for people, for society, and for the future.
Media Contact:
• Micael Gustafsson, CEO, Starfish of Sweden: +46 73-6993601
• Roy Sundvall, Marketing Manager, Forenede Care: +46 70-0804953