One of the most concerning and daunting elements of patient care during the day and at night may be patient falls. Yet, falls are preventable as well. The complete Fall Management Solutions line of HPFY is specifically designed to prevent falls, reduce the risk of injury, and enhance patients' overall safety, all day, every day. Count on HPFY for everything you need for a complete Fall Management Program.
Types of Bed Alarms for Fall Prevention
We offer simple to full-featured signal devices that warn employees quickly when patients leave their bed, chair, or room.
- Bed Monitor: Provides both an alarm at the console of the nursing station and a volume control in-room alarm that can be silenced if needed. The device consists of a control unit that is mounted on the the headboard of the bed and a pressure-sensitive panel that measures variable resistance.
- Chair Monitor: A battery-operated portable monitor with an audible exit alarm, including a one-year reusable chair sensor pad. The sensor pad is mounted on the chair's seat. After that, the resident is seated, and the computer is turned on. When the resident wants to leave the chair, the monitor sounds an audible warning and sends the incident data to the nursing station and the staff notification system wirelessly.
- Floor Mat Fall Monitor: When weight is put on the floor mat fall alarms, weight-sensing floor mats signal a fall alarm. For as little as one and a half pounds of pressure, the floor mat signals the fall alarm. On the side of the bed or in a doorway, the Floor Mat Alarm can be mounted to warn the caregiver when a resident arises or tries to leave. The warning information is then transmitted wirelessly and cautiously to the console.
- Motion Detector: A small passive infrared (PIR) transmitter that sense the patient when they get out of bed and immediately sends a “Bed Exit” alert to nursing staff.
Factors to Consider Before Purchasing a Fall Alarms
While bed alarms can be very useful devices for both the caregiver and the patient, knowing the most suitable alarm to go for can be confusing. If you buy a pressure sensor mat alarm, or should you opt for a passive infrared sensor (PIR) alarm instead, is a pull-cord sensor alarm better suited to your requirements?
Before deciding on a bed alarm for elderly, you should first consider some of these important buying factors:
- Wired or Wireless:
- While wired bed alarms are typically the most cost-effective alternative, there are some drawbacks to them. One big downside is that they need to be put in the same space as the patient. It may prove distressing and could startle them if the alarm goes off. Another downside is that the consumer is more likely to trip over the cords, particularly if they get up in a dark bedroom in the middle of the night.
- However, with wired bed alarms, the alarm can be kept in the same bedroom as the caregiver, so they are less likely to miss any warnings. It also ensures that unexpected noisy sounds will not be inconvenient to the patient. The caregiver can also use the alarm in the home to track their loved one from wherever they are and not be confined to only one room.
- Range:
- The operational range is an important aspect to remember if you're thinking of opting for a wireless bed alarm. The range will determine how far the remote receiver can be used from the actual bed alarm. Depending on the model, the range of a wireless bed alarm can be anywhere from 150 ft-400 ft.
- Choose one with a longer range if you choose to use the receiver in other areas of the home so that the patient can be tracked wherever you are.
- Alert and Volume Control
- Many bed alarms emit an audible alert, and some can vibrate and/or flash as well.
- The audible warning should be loud enough so that the caregiver can hear it without causing the patient undue distress. Make sure you select one that has a volume control to change the sound intensity as required. This is especially important if the patient suffers from dementia because they may be overwhelmed by loud noises and prove distressing.
- Power Source
- Most bed alarms are powered by a battery. However, some versions can be operated by an optional AC adapter as well.
- It is better to have a bed alarm for elderly powered by both batteries and AC adapters over one powered exclusively by batteries. This will ensure that the alarm is still working if you need it, and the unit will be able to run off batteries in case of a power failure.
- Fabric Type
- Select one that is both waterproof and easy to clean if you're looking for a pressure mat alarm. The preferred material used for pressure mats is vinyl, which is both durable and fluffy, making it easy for the user to lie on. Many mats also have an antimicrobial coating that is ideal for those suffering from incontinence as it can help prevent the spread of germs and infections.
Where to buy Fall Prevention Alarms Online?
HPFY carries a wide range of fall alarms that will meet all your fall prevention needs. There are bed, chair, floor mats & motion detector alarms from top leading manufacturers such as Skil Care Corp, Smart Caregiver Corporation, Proactive Medical, and more.
Related articles on Fall Prevention
FAQ's
Frequently asked questions
Fall prevention alarms do not prevent falls. The purpose of a fall monitor is to provide the earliest possible warning that a patient/resident is attempting to exit their bed or chair and is an immediate risk of falling.
The selection of a fall alarm will vary from patient to patient and facility to facility. Several things need to be considered when selecting a fall monitor. Location – Where will the fall monitors be used; bed or chair? Patient Situation – What patients will I use the fall monitor with? Does a patient have a language barrier? Are there any special circumstances I must consider for this patient?
No, Alarms do not prevent falls. They alert the care givers whenever a sudden movement is experienced. Therefore greatly reducing the risk of falls and early attention in case of falls.
Wipe alarm case using a soft cloth or damp sponge. You may also wipe down with a bacterial or germ killing spray. If using a pull cord alarm in between patients, it is recommended to replace magnet or pull pins. Do not submerge in water. Do not drop or throw alarm, as this may cause unit to malfunction. Check the alarm after each cleaning.
It is neccessary to check the alarm every time because it may pose a serious risk for patients/residents when the caregiver is away. You must always:
- Be sure that the alarm is switched to the “ON” position.
- Check the batteries are in working condition
- Check if your alarm contains dip switches, ensure they are aligned properly.
- Be sure the alarm is not in the silent mode.