Request for info: Falls detection in hospitals

Steve Hards

Can anyone help with this reader’s question? “I have been looking around for falls detection equipment available for purchase to identify what are the most effective solutions for inpatient use. There are practical considerations for these devices being used on wards within hospitals where, for instance, call centres used in the consumer market are not what is required here. Some previously used pressure pads have been unfit for use too. Could you point me to any resources that might be of use? Please leave comment and/or email Ed. Steve.

4 thoughts on “Request for info: Falls detection in hospitals”

  1. Responses so far have recommended:

    1) Tremorvah Industries [url]http://www.tremorvah.co.uk/[/url]

    2) SensorCare Falls Prevention Systems which can be used locally, by the bed or chair side; remotely, through a unit sited at the nurses’ station or through pagers; or integrated into your current nurse call system. [url]http://www.sensorcare.co.uk/[/url]

    3) Studies of falls in care settings, in particular the study published in 2009: ‘Bed-exit alarm effectiveness’ [url]http://www.aggjournal.com/article/S0167-4943%2808%2900086-1/abstract[/url] (abstract) and others…see this search [url]http://scholar.google.co.uk/scholar?hl=en&q=Bed-exit+alarm+effectiveness&btnG=&as_sdt=1%2C5&as_sdtp=[/url]. Heads-up thanks to Toni Bunting.

    4) Some very useful specific information from a reader who prefers to be anonymous. Prices are indicative:

    # Tunstall CareAssist (plus bed/chair sensor or universal sensor on a door depending on the situation).
    Expensive but effective – used in inpatient unit. Excellent range and reliability. (CareAssist £200-£400). *No noise at the bedside*
    [url]http://www.tunstall.co.uk/products-and-services/telecare-solutions/individual-homes/local-care-alarms[/url]

    # Border Patrol
    An electronic entrance-monitoring device that creates an invisible infrared beam between the two units up to 20 metres apart. Sounds an alarm (£30). Used in residential setting with the beam being set where the person gets out of bed and puts their feet on the floor. *Noise at the bedside*
    [url]http://personalalarms.com/acatalog/copy_of_Border_Patrol_Wireless_Alarm_Device[/url]

    # Driveway Alert Alarm
    Detects movement. Place it at the foot of the bed and aim the beam across where the person puts their feet and it will send alert to the receiver, carried by nursing staff. Used in inpatient units, residential and nursing homes as well as people’s own homes and supported living environments. Excellent in the person’s own home as it can be used upstairs at night to inform carer of movement to stairs/outside, and then used downstairs during the day. Very successful piece of kit. Found it from JNE and Solon Security. (£30). Low cost, easily replaced, unbelievably cost effective. *No noise at the bedside – *good range
    [url]http://compare.ebay.co.uk/like/270928569064[/url]

    # Speaking Sensors
    Never tried these, but may assist:
    [url]http://www.nrs-uk.co.uk/speaking-pager-bed-sensor-mat-with-transmitter-pager-kit[/url] (£180)
    [url]http://www.nrs-uk.co.uk/voice-alert-monitor[/url] (£50)

  2. In a hospital environment, the people at risk of falls will already have been identified during assessment, so the priority is likely to be to prevent them from trying to mobilise on their own. This is true when they are in bed, in a chair or on the toilet. The technology needs are therefore twofold:
    1. to detect that they are trying to get up, and
    2. to relay a message immediately to members of staff.
    As hospital beds tend to profile, the normal telecare equipment is unlikely to be reliable – so alternative (and usually more expensive) approaches are required. These are discussed in the Group Comparison Report published by T-Cubed in the Telecare EPG last year.

    As far as communication is concerned, the social alarm approach using pagers or local receivers may be suitable, but so might other techniques linked to pagers or existing nurse-call systems.

Comments are closed.