Pressure sensors are a popular technology used by hospitals and other care facilities to help nurses monitor fall risk patients who may attempt to exit a bed, chair, or toilet without assistance. These pressure-sensitive devices are engineered to cause an alarm to sound when a patient’s weight is removed from the sensor.
Sensors that trigger an alarm when weight (pressure) is removed are often integrated into pads that are placed on patient chairs or toilets. Pressure sensors may be placed on patient beds, too, although it is now more common for them to be incorporated directly into hospital bed designs.
Bedside and chairside floor mats with embedded sensors are also available for use in fall prevention programs. With these sensors, however, it is the patient’s weight on the mat ― as opposed to the removal of the patient’s weight ― that triggers the alarm.
Pressure sensors for monitoring fall risk patients are based on various wired and wireless technologies. The article at hand will discuss an innovative wireless chair exit sensor designed and manufactured by Posey®, a TIDI Products brand.
Drawing upon more than 80 years of experience as an industry leader in falls prevention and patient safety, Posey collaborated closely with practicing clinicians to develop a chair exit sensor for use in today’s busy, fast-moving healthcare environments.
The Posey Wireless Chair Sensor Pad is designed to help nurses monitor fall risk patients who may attempt an unassisted chair exit. Intended to complement, not replace, established protocols such as regular rounding and safety checks, the easy-to-use sensor accommodates nursing workflow via advanced wireless technology.
Now let’s look at some of the key features of this innovative product solution.
Noteworthy features of the Posey Wireless Chair Sensor Pad include its wireless connectivity, pressure sensitivity, useful life, compatibility, and integration capabilities.
By virtue of its ability to help nurses monitor fall risk patients while performing their many other care-related duties, the Posey Wireless Chair Sensor Pad offers a useful and efficient tool for organizations looking to strengthen their fall prevention programs.
Easy sensor pad placement, a simple set of user instructions, and cord-free operation not only support caregiver workflow but also benefit patient safety and comfort. The Posey Wireless Chair Sensor Pad allows the patient to sit in a chair located anywhere in the room, such as near a window, without nurses having to worry about tricky room configurations or the proximity of electrical outlets. Furthermore, no new tripping hazards (cords/cables) are introduced into the care environment.
The wireless On Cue PRO Alarm with which the sensor pad is used can be placed or mounted anywhere in the room, or even outside the door to the room.
Installing the Posey Wireless Chair Sensor Pad is a rather straightforward process. Instructions for use (IFU) are printed directly on the sensor pad and a paper version of the IFU is also provided with the product.
The IFU includes clear, step-by-step directions on how to pair the sensor pad to an On Cue PRO Alarm, how to place and test the sensor pad, how to place the patient on the sensor pad, how to unpair the sensor pad from the alarm, and finally, how to discard the sensor pad. Simple cleaning, storage, and warranty information is also included in the IFU. A downloadable version can be found on the TIDI Products website.
As with all technologies, it is imperative that the organization provide training for staff. Training should include demonstrations and simulated scenarios. Relevant maintenance and troubleshooting guidelines should be addressed. Periodic refresher training is recommended.
Fall prevention programs can help hospitals and care facilities minimize the risk of patient falls, mitigate fall-related injuries, and reduce associated costs. The implementation of devices designed to help nurses monitor fall risk patients, such as the Posey Wireless Chair Sensor Pad, can play an important role in these safety programs.
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