Description

Solution

Adoption of Smart Digital Tools and Internet of Things (IoT) Technology to Prevent Falls in Acute Care Settings

Falls pose a major health risk, especially among older adults, as they are associated with morbidity, mortality, disability, and frailty. The fear of falling reduces older adults’ confidence in maintaining independent living. Approximately 3% of individuals who fall remain on the ground for over 20 minutes without assistance, and 80% of those aged 90 years or older are unable to get up on their own. Implementing an automatic notification system that alerts caregivers after detecting a fall can reduce the waiting time for medical support and improve outcomes for elderly individuals (He et al., 2017).

Smart digital tools and evidence-based Internet of Things (IoT) technologies offer potential for preventing time-critical situations and managing emergency incidents effectively (Kyriakopoulos et al., 2020). The importance of these technologies continues to grow as the population vulnerable to falls increases. Incorporating fall detection and response systems into elderly care can significantly enhance safety and quality of life for aging individuals.

Clinical Problem Statement

Healthcare demand has shifted significantly in recent decades due to a rapidly aging population. Worldwide, the number of individuals aged 80 and above is expected to increase threefold, rising from 137 million in 2017 to 425 million by 2050 (Bruzzi et al., 2018). One of the most urgent priorities in geriatric care is reducing fall incidence, which requires the implementation of fall risk assessment tools (Aranda-Gallardo et al., 2017). Key contributors to fall risk among older adults include advanced age, physical frailty, previous falls, and hazardous living environments.

Falls frequently lead to severe injuries, prolonged treatment, and extended hospital stays (Andreadis & Zambon, 2020). As the number of frail elderly patients grows, the demand for advanced and adaptable care solutions increases. Ensuring patient safety in acute care settings is critical for managing hospital capacity and maintaining care efficiency. Proactively preventing falls can alleviate hospital overcrowding, enhance care quality, and reduce healthcare expenditures.

Purpose of the Change Proposal

There is increasing interest in how emerging technologies can meet the needs and expectations of patients at risk of falls. This change proposal aims to present a comprehensive review of recent studies on the implementation of smart digital tools and evidence-based Internet of Things (IoT) technologies to prevent falls in acute care settings. Incorporating these innovations into patient care offers significant potential to enhance safety, optimize patient outcomes, and improve hospital efficiency.

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