Many hospitals and care facilities choose to implement falls monitoring alarms as part of their fall prevention program. These alarms are designed to help nurses monitor fall risk patients who may attempt to exit a bed, chair, or toilet unassisted.
Falls monitoring alarms rely on either wired or wireless technology. Both of these technologies carry potential benefits and potential concerns that should be considered.
This article will provide a brief comparison of wired and wireless falls monitoring alarms. But first, let’s look at falls monitoring alarms in general.
Falls monitoring alarms are frequently used with sensor devices that trigger the alarm when a patient’s weight is removed. Often integrated into pads and placed on chairs or toilets, pressure sensors can be placed on beds as well ― although it’s become more common for hospital bed designs to incorporate them directly. Other alarm-triggering sensor devices include self-releasing straps designed for fall risk patients in a chair or bed.
To help ensure the timely notification of staff, falls monitoring alarms are engineered for compatibility with nurse call systems. It is important to note that falls monitoring alarms are intended to complement, not replace, established protocols such as safety checks and regular rounding.
Now, let’s focus specifically on wired falls monitoring alarms. After that, we’ll consider their wireless counterparts.
Wired falls monitoring alarms are powered by batteries and can use AC power adapters. Connections to compatible wired sensors and to nurse call systems rely on the use of cords. Therefore, the location of nurse call ports, as well as room-specific layouts and dimensions, may impose restrictions on where and how a fall risk patient can be monitored with a wired system. Thoughtful planning is required.
Next, let’s turn our attention to wireless falls monitoring alarms.
Wireless falls monitoring alarms are based on advanced wireless technology. Wireless alarms run on batteries, although AC power adapters can also be used. Connections to compatible wireless sensors and nurse call adapters are achieved wirelessly (i.e., without cords). Corded compatibility with wired sensors may be offered.
When choosing between a wired falls monitoring alarm system and a wireless falls monitoring alarm system, there are a number of factors to be considered. Specific patient needs, room configurations, nurse-to-patient ratios, and implementation costs are among the most important of these considerations.
In many instances, the greater flexibility associated with wireless systems is deemed preferable.
Contact us today to learn more about wired and wireless falls monitoring alarm systems!