Likewise, detecting or mapping out pressure points on
the patients’ limbs, which predisposes the patient to
develop pressure sores, and monitoring occupancy of
patients at risk of falling and detecting when they are trying
to get out of bed are important for the care of patients even
in acute care ward. Falling is a major issue in the hospital.
In 2005, there were over 100 falls recorded in Singapore,
and some of them had serious repercussions. Other
hospitals and nursing homes have similar statistics. As
we can imagine, there are high costs — both in terms of
patient’s well being and in terms of the impact to the
hospital (extra days in hospital/doctor and staff time, etc.).
Accidental falls within healthcare facilities can result in
untoward outcomes both for the recipients of care and the
providers of care. For patients, falls may result in serious
injuries such as fractures and intra-cranial hemorrhages;
while the healthcare institutions within which such falls
occur may likely become victims of litigation.