Technologies for fall prevention in the hospital setting: A scoping review

Abstract

Objective: To identify scientific evidence about the main technologies used to prevent falls in hospitalized patients.

Methods: A scoping review was carried out. Studies available in English, Portuguese, or Spanish, aiming to identify technologies to reduce the risk of falls in hospital settings in the adult and elderly population, were included. No time limit was applied.

Results: Thirty articles were included in the review. The countries with the highest number of studies on the subject were the United States and Brazil. The technological solutions found include mobile applications, protocols, and software. From this list, the main technological solutions were mobile applications.

Conclusions: Technologies such as mobile applications offer portability and ease in transmitting information, becoming a tool to enhance the quality of healthcare practices. The use of technological solutions to provide medical care for the elderly population is promising as such tools assist in critical training and guide patients to achieve healthy living. Technology helps in interpersonal and professional relationships. Further studies exploring new solutions or technologies are needed to build upon the existing knowledge of strategies to improve healthcare quality.