PATIENTS are experiencing fewer falls thanks to the help of new alarm systems at Worcestershire Royal Hospital.
Four new Ramblegard fall alarm systems funded by the Friends of Worcestershire Royal Hospital are now in use on the hospital’s wards for frail and elderly patients. The alarms monitor patients’ movement to alert staff of a potential fall.
Falls can be more likely in hospital as patients are recovering from illness or surgery and are often weaker – this can be especially common in frail, elderly patients or those with dementia.
The falls alarms have already proven a success in other parts of the hospital with the number of falls resulting in injury reducing since they have been in use.
Claire James, matron at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “I want to thank The Friends of Worcestershire Royal Hospital for donating this vital equipment. It will make a huge difference to patient and staff safety. On Avon 4, our general medical ward for high-risk patients, we’ve already seen a drop in unwitnessed falls.”
Carol Silvester from The Friends added: “The Friends are always happy to provide support to patients and their families extra to the NHS. We are thrilled to be able to donate four Ramblegard devices to the hospital. The cost of £18,862 is a small price to pay if it prevents just one fall and a broken hip and will continue working with the hospital to provide support for patients and their families.”
