ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Effectiveness of an integrated three-mode bed exit alarm system in reducing inpatient falls within an acute care setting
Jason Phil Seow,
Tse Lert Chua,
Fazila Aloweni,
Shu Hui Lim,
Shin Yuh Ang,
Corresponding Author
Jason Phil Seow
Division of Nursing, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
Correspondence
Jason Phil Seow, Division of Nursing, Singapore General Hospital, Singhealth Tower, Level 15, 10 Hospital Boulevard, 168582, Singapore.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorTse Lert Chua
Strategy Management and Analytics, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
Search for more papers by this authorFazila Aloweni
Division of Nursing, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
Search for more papers by this authorShu Hui Lim
Division of Nursing, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
Search for more papers by this authorShin Yuh Ang
Division of Nursing, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
Search for more papers by this authorJason Phil Seow,
Tse Lert Chua,
Fazila Aloweni,
Shu Hui Lim,
Shin Yuh Ang,
Corresponding Author
Jason Phil Seow
Division of Nursing, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
Correspondence
Jason Phil Seow, Division of Nursing, Singapore General Hospital, Singhealth Tower, Level 15, 10 Hospital Boulevard, 168582, Singapore.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorTse Lert Chua
Strategy Management and Analytics, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
Search for more papers by this authorFazila Aloweni
Division of Nursing, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
Search for more papers by this authorShu Hui Lim
Division of Nursing, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
Search for more papers by this authorShin Yuh Ang
Division of Nursing, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
Aim
To examine the effectiveness of an integrated three-mode bed exit alarm system in reducing inpatient falls within an acute care hospital setting in Singapore.
Method
A retrospective before-and-after study design was adopted.
Results
Our results revealed that the use of bed exit alarms are associated with a reduction in falls incidence.
Conclusion
Bed exit alarm systems are associated with reduced fall incidence. Nonetheless, for an institution to benefit from the technology, there will be a need to take into account the effects of “alarm fatigue”, ability of nurses to respond in time to alarms, and selection of right alarm mode/limits based on the patient's profile.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.
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