Turner Padget Insights
The Revolution of Long-Term Care: How AI Can Transform Fall Prevention in Nursing Homes
Posted On July 22, 2024
Nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities face many challenges when it comes to ensuring the safety and well-being of their residents. One of the most pressing concerns we hear from our clients has to do with the prevention of falls, which are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries among older adults. These injuries lead to a decline in quality of life and independence. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) has reported that documented falls in long-term care centers are 100 to 200 per year per every 100 beds, and the average facility cost per fall may exceed $17,000, not including hospital costs of about $35,000.
Addressing this issue is more critical than ever in South Carolina, where the elderly population is rapidly increasing.
Fortunately, exciting advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) offer promising solutions:
- Predictive Analytics: AI systems can receive and analyze enormous amounts of data from electronic health records (EHRs), wearables, and other sources to identify residents at a higher risk of falls. By examining factors such as previous fall history, medication use, and mobility issues, AI can predict which individuals are most likely to fall and allow for proactive interventions to be implemented by well-trained staff.
- Real-Time Monitoring: Advanced AI-powered monitoring systems continuously observe residents’ movements and behaviors. These systems use cameras and sensors to detect unusual patterns or activities that might indicate an imminent fall. For example, if a resident attempts to get out of a bed or a chair unassisted, the system immediately alerts staff.
- Automated Alerts: AI alerts caregivers and medical staff, ensuring they can respond quickly to potential fall incidents. These alerts can be sent to smartphones, tablets, or nursing/resident care stations, enabling speedy intervention and reducing response times.
- Personalized Care Plans: AI can help develop personalized care plans tailored to each resident's unique needs and risk factors by analyzing individual data. This customized approach ensures that preventive measures are specifically targeted, making them more effective.
It is important to note that while introducing AI systems can assist a facility in preventing falls, it does not eliminate the facility's responsibility for resident safety. Still, staff must be adequately trained to understand and use these technologies, and clear protocols should be established for responding to AI-generated alerts. Additionally, facilities should consider potential liability issues if an AI system fails to predict or prevent a fall.
Further, residents and families should be fully informed about the use of AI technologies under resident rights. Staff should discuss this with the resident and responsible party, and written informed consent should be contained within the residency agreement. Obtaining informed consent is crucial to educating families, building trust, and limiting liability.
Lastly, facilities must be sure that their use of AI complies with all relevant state and federal regulations, including HIPAA.
Integrating AI into fall prevention strategies in South Carolina nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities holds great promise for improving resident safety and limiting healthcare costs. As technology evolves, facilities must navigate the legal landscape carefully and ensure these innovations are implemented and used responsibly. By doing so, we can create a safer and more secure environment for our elderly population, ultimately enhancing their quality of life and well-being while simultaneously decreasing exposure and litigation costs for facilities.
Hunter Morgan is a Charleston-based associate in Turner Padget’s professional liability practice.
