The main focus of the new initiatives is a system protect patients who have a high risk for falls, those patients could be elderly or younger patients whose illness or medication requires that they be accompanied whenever they are in the hallways out of bed.
Falling is a common cause of morbidity, and the leading cause of nonfatal injuries and trauma –related hospitalizations. Complications include bone fractures, injury to the soft tissues, increased functional dependence, and fear of falling again, which itself can be debilitating. Each of these complications contribute to increased risk of future falls.
Studies in community –dwelling older patients have identified age, gait or balanced impairment, sensory or cognitive impairment, musculoskeletal diseases, environmental hazards, and many medications (such as sedative –hypnotic drugs) as risk factors.