Feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of an electronic sensor bed/chair alarm in reducing falls in patients with cognitive impairment in a subacute ward.
Falls from bed are common in subacute hospital settings, particularly for patients with cognitive impairment. This repeated measures, single cohort study in 1 subacute ward evaluated effectiveness of an electronic sensor alarm in reducing falls in patients (n = 34) with cognitive impairment. Nursing staff feedback (focus group, survey) was used to determine electronic sensor alarm feasibility. The electronic alarm system was found to be a feasible, effective, and acceptable fall prevention strategy for patients with cognitive impairment.
Ballarat Health Services, and Federation University, Ballarat, Victoria, Australia (Dr Wong Shee); La Trobe Rural Health School, La Trobe University, Bendigo, Victoria, Australia (Adjunct Associate Professor Phillips); School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia (Professor Hill); and Faculty of Health Sciences, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia (Professor Dodd).
Anna
A
Wong Shee
Bev
B
Phillips
Keith
K
Hill
Karen
K
Dodd
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001513:Beds; D003072:Cognition Disorders; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004582:Electronics, Medical / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D007374:Interior Design and Furnishings; D008297:Male; D009740:Nursing Staff