Continuous video monitoring reduces patient falls

Continuous video monitoring in a long-term care setting reduced inpatient falls, decreased 1:1 sitter use and improved patient safety, benefitting patients and saving facility costs. Published in the December issue of the Journal of Nursing Administration, the prospective, observational cohort single-site study found continuous video monitoring reduced falls from 17.2 per month to 12.9 per month over 20 months. The average number of 1:1 sitter hours declined from 1,428 hours per month to 140 hours per month, saving $3.2 million. Researchers installed one-way video and two-way audio communication, allowing a centralized team of sitters to monitor patients continuously, speak with them and notify floor staff to behaviors of concern. The study is the first to show benefit in a long-term care setting.