Innovating with AI to improve inpatient safety
An AI integrated falls prevention, detection and nurse call system is being piloted at a BCHC inpatient centre to support patient safety.
BCHC is partnering with healthcare ICT specialists Ascom UK as provider of the system, which is designed to support patient safety and improve patient monitoring and care team responsiveness. BCHC is among the first NHS care providers to implement the technology.
Perry Tree Centre in Kingstanding is trialling sensors which actively ‘learn’ about unexpected activity in the single rooms occupied by patients, sending notifications to devices held by clinical staff so they can promptly intervene to prevent a fall and, potentially, injury.
The sensors also have the capability to capture a short video clip if a fall is detected to aid the clinical team’s understanding of events and inform decisions around the need for a patient to attend hospital if injury is suspected.
The handheld devices also enable members of the team to communicate with a patient in their room via a two-way speech system when the call bell is used, providing the opportunity to reassure them, determine the urgency of their need or instruct them to await assistance prior to attempting movement if their falls risk is a concern.
Group clinical manager Beth Sykes said: “the majority of patients admitted to Perry Tree are frail older adults, many of whom have a history of falls or are at greater risk of falling when in an unfamiliar environment, particularly with single rooms where patients may attempt to move around without the assistance of staff.
“Our falls data over the past few years indicated a new approach was required, so we set about to see how technology may be able to support us to improve patient safety.”
Ward manager Claire Owen is encouraged by the early staff engagement with the technology.
She said: “The team has engaged exceptionally well with the pilot to date. While the technology is new and requires some time to embed in practice, staff have been proactive in ensuring it is utilised effectively.
“We are hopeful that the pilot will help us strengthen patient safety at the unit”.
During the pilot, patients will be asked for consent to participate, and feedback from patients and their relatives will be included as part of the evaluation process.
Ascom UK senior account manager Rob Markham said: “Ascom UK would like to thank staff at Perry Tree Centre - along with the wider support teams from multiple departments across Birmingham Community Healthcare - for their valued collaboration throughout the installation, testing, training, and implementation phases.
“Their professionalism, engagement, and collective commitment were instrumental in delivering a smooth and effective deployment.”
Ascom UK clinical consultant Carrie Calvin added: “I’m really excited to be working alongside the Perry Tree team. Their collaborative approach and shared commitment to improving patient safety and clinical workflows make this a truly rewarding partnership.
“I look forward to supporting the successful adoption of these solutions and seeing the positive impact they will have for both staff and patients.”
The pilot, being run on the upstairs 32-bedded ward at the Perry Tree Centre, will be evaluated to determine its impact, with the hope that positive results could lead to wider roll-out across BCHC inpatient sites.