Patient safety is a growing concern for health care providers, especially since patient observation is not always possible on a busy unit. Unassisted mobilisation could often lead to a fall with subsequent injury, the most severe of which being a fractured femur or even death.

Despite a number of measures used to prevent falls, the number is expected to increase due to the rising aging population. Elderly falls constitute the largest percentage of falls in hospitals, which in turn result in prolonged hospital stay, risk of further complications for the patients, loss of confidence and increased morbidity for the patient.

Due to this reason, a growing number of organisations have decided to invest in falls prevention measures; the most common of which, being bed and chair sensors. These are typically placed underneath the bed mattress or the chair cushion of any high-risk patient, and they are aimed to reduce the number of falls by a substantial amount. Once the patient initiates mobilisation, the bed or chair sensors detect the change in pressure from the bed or chair, and an audible and visual alarm is triggered to alert the staff that the patient is starting to mobilise. However, the sensors still allow complete freedom, and only detect those movements which indicate that the bed or chair is being vacated.

Independent research which has been carried out at Queens Medical Centre in Nottingham, has demonstrated that by using bed and chair sensors for high risk patients in busy hospital wards, the number of in-patient falls has reduced by 45%. Moreover, the length of hospital stay has significantly declined and hospital staff and patient relatives were generally more at ease and satisfied.

The staff themselves gain greater independence, and freedom to carry out their daily routine, without having to worry about high-risk patients wandering off independently, as the alarm alerts the staff when the patient has started to mobilise. For greater convenience, pagers which are linked directly to the sensors are also provided, thereby allowing the staff to move freely around the unit, and at the same time, being alerting when patient mobilisation is being initiated, without disturbing others in the unit.

The monitors consist of two components, a pressure sensing bed panel or a chair panel and a control unit. The bed and chair sensors are highly robust, as they are made from stainless steel. They are easy to operate as no installation is required and there is no risk of electric shock or burn, as the control unit is battery operated. To reduce the risk of cross infection, the sensors are encased in a polyurethane sleeve, which has been impregnated with an anti-microbial treatment, which protects against E.coli, Salmonella, MRSA, Listeria and more. The most important feature however, is that the sensors are discreet as they are placed underneath the patients mattress, or chair cushion thereby maintaining the patients dignity.

The falls prevention systems are linked to a control unit which is typically placed in a convenient position for the carer to operate, usually on the side of the chair, or the end of the bed. The control unit has the ability to alarm once the patient starts to mobilise. The sensors also have the ability to be interfaced to the nurses existing call system, if required.

The sensors are pre-calibrated for variability in weight, agility and differing bed types, and should not require adjustment in general use. However, some systems have a simple adjustment to make them more or less sensitive. Any mattress type can be used, including pressure relieving and air mattresses, and any bed type from divan to profiling.

If you require any further information, please contact SensorCare Systems on 0845 863 9570 or email enquiries@sensorcare.co.uk   www.sensorcare.co.uk