Bed Alarms For Fall Prevention

Bed alarms are used to detect when patients have left their beds or chairs and will alert caregivers by sounding an alarm. They are a low-cost intervention for fall prevention that can be a valuable tool in hospitals or in the home.

In-hospital falls are a leading cause of deaths among seniors in the United States and can lead to broken bones, hip fractures, head injuries, or other serious consequences. Aside from the physical impact of a fall, it can have a psychological impact on the patient and their loved ones as well.

Some studies have shown that there is a lack of evidence for the effectiveness of bed alarms for fall prevention. Nonetheless, some hospitals still use them.

fall detection Nurses often recommend bed alarms for patients deemed to be at high risk of falling due to pre-existing medical conditions or the presence of medications. However, it is still up to the nursing staff to decide whether a bed alarm is appropriate for the patient.

There are different types of bed alarms available on the market, such as clip sensors and pull-cord sensor alarms. Both of these options work by attaching to the patient's clothing and detaching as they move from their bed or chair.

Both of these sensors have pros and cons and it's important to consider them before making a decision. For example, a battery-powered alarm is portable and easy to store while a wired system can be inconvenient and pose a tripping hazard.