Study of Fall Prevention Sensors in Elderly Inpatients is Inconclusive
A recent study reviewed research on fall prevention sensor use in elderly inpatients. Falls are a common and potentially serious event for elderly patients, who are often frail and recover more slowly from fall-related injury injuries. To prevent falls, healthcare workers often use physical restraints with elderly patients, though restraints increase the risk of adverse events such as depression and aggression and also increase the risk of a fall-related injury. Fall prevention sensors are a technological alternative that are designed to alert staff and protect patients.
Several types of fall prevention sensor were included in the evaluation of 12 studies, including wearable sensors and pressure-sensitive mats. Wearable sensors attach to the patient’s thigh or foot, such as a neoprene rubber sock. A 3-month multi-factorial random controlled trial using the sock sensor, in 3999 patients in acute and rehabilitation wards, did not reduce patient fall rate. Pressure sensitive mats and infrared detection systems have the advantage of not restricting the patient. In some cases, pressure sensitive mats were effective elements in falls reduction programs, while other studies using mats did not report reductions in patient falls. In one study, removing bed and chair alarms resulted in a decreased fall rate over the following 5 months. Nurses on the unit had become used to dealing with false alarms and developed a habit of failing to respond to the alarms, a common problem.
Overall, the evaluation of 12 studies demonstrated a lack of evidence that using current fall-prevention sensors reduces patient fall rate. The complexity of environments and parameters that contribute to patient falls and the inclusion of new technology into multifactorial fall prevention studies complicate interpretation of some studies. However, review of the 12 studies revealed difficulties with consistent utilization of sensors due to a high rate of false alarm. The authors cite the need for high-quality research using wearable and non-wearable sensors in clinical application.
Kosse NM, Brands K, Bauer JM, Hortobagyi T, Lamoth CJC. Sensor technologies aiming at fall prevention in institutionalized old adults: A synthesis of current knowledge. Intl J Med Informatics. 2013;82:743-752.
Posted in Fall Prevention Research