| Hospitals and nursing homes have been using alarm | | | | patient alarms uses passive infrared sensors to |
| systems to monitor patients who require fall | | | | detect motion within a certain zone. Movement by |
| management for years. Many homes are adopting | | | | the patient within the zone of the infrared beam |
| alarm systems as well to reduce the risks of fall | | | | triggers the alarm device, notifying the caregiver. The |
| injuries and to monitor patients or loved ones who | | | | infrared beam is the same beam used in TV remotes |
| are subject to bouts of disorientation. The variety | | | | and is harmless to the patient. These alarm devices |
| and flexibility of these new in-home medical alarm | | | | are very useful because they can be positioned |
| systems and hospital room systems can be confusing | | | | wherever a patient may be exposed to potential |
| to caregivers. Currently there are several options | | | | danger. |
| available to caregivers to safeguard those under their | | | | The fifth and last type involves patients sitting in a |
| care explored below. | | | | wheelchair or other seating device. A wheelchair |
| Basically, there are five types of patient alarm | | | | alarm uses a sensory device such as a cushion, pad, |
| systems for use in the home or hospital. These | | | | belt or attachable cord. When the patient exits the |
| patient alarm types are categorized by location. The | | | | chair, the alarm sounds to warn caregivers of the |
| first patient alarm type utilizes sensors on the bed | | | | patient's change in mobility. |
| mattress. These alarms use pressure or an attachable | | | | Patient alarm systems are commonly powered by |
| cord. Pressure alarms utilize the weight of the patient | | | | batteries or AC household electricity. AC powered |
| to trigger the alarm device. Patient movement off of | | | | alarm systems provide convenience of not having to |
| the pressure mat will trigger the alarm notifying the | | | | replace batteries. However, alarms become inoperable |
| caregiver of the possible impending danger. Cord | | | | during power outages thereby endangering patients. |
| alarms are activated when the cord is pulled by the | | | | To reduce this risk, some patient alarm systems |
| patient; thereby activating the alarm. | | | | provide for both battery operation and AC power. |
| The second type of accident prevention alarms are | | | | These alarms provide caregivers more flexibility and |
| bedside systems. Typically, bedside alarm systems | | | | safety. Wheelchair alarms all use batteries since it is |
| involve pressure sensors and infrared sensors. | | | | impractical to run power cords to a mobile chair. |
| Pressure mats placed on the floor beside the bed | | | | Some other noteworthy features of modern patient |
| send a signal when the patient's weight interacts with | | | | alarms are nurse station call interfaces, a suspend |
| the mat. Padded mats provide additional safety | | | | function, pre-recoded voice message and a variety |
| should the patient fall from their bed to the floor. | | | | of alarm tones. The nurse call interface allows the |
| Infrared sensors detect movement beside the bed | | | | alarm system to be connected to a nurse call station, |
| to alert caregivers that the patient is up and active. | | | | providing centralized monitoring of patients. Safety |
| The third type of home patient alarm system is a | | | | alarms equipped with a "suspend function" allows |
| door alarm system. These systems utilize a magnetic | | | | caregivers to administer bedside care without |
| sensor, a pull cord or infrared device. Magnetic sensor | | | | triggering a false alarm. Pre-recorded voice messages |
| alarms are activated when the magnetic field is | | | | allow caregivers to program messages to individual |
| broken; thereby sending a signal to the alarm unit to | | | | patients such as, "Please sit back down, Mr. Jones, |
| warn caregivers. Pull cord alarms activate when the | | | | the nurse will be in to see you momentarily." Various |
| cord attached from the alarm unit to the door is | | | | alarm tones provide for multiple notification options |
| pulled to its "activate" position as the door moves | | | | for caregivers and patients. With a multitude of |
| from closed to open. Infrared alarms used as a door | | | | patient alarm options currently available on the |
| alarm work very similar to bedside alarms. Infrared | | | | market, caregivers have more choices to match a |
| alarm systems are very versatile and are explained in | | | | safety alarm system to the needs of the individual |
| more detail in the next alarm type. | | | | patient. |
| The fourth type of hospital room alarms or home | | | | |