The tool that reduces patient falls by 30%

Data from more than 750 hospitals indicate the most effective tool to reduce inpatient falls is sensor technology, according to a Sept. 10 report from Sg2, a Vizient company. 

Fall-prevention sensor technologies, such as bed, chair and toilet alarms, can reduce patient falls by as much as 30%, Sg2 found. The report analyzed 30,484 falls across 750 hospitals between late 2021 and the third quarter of 2024. 

Patient falls are by far the most common harmful event reported by hospitals. In 2023, 48% of sentinel events reported to the Joint Commission were falls. The second most common event was wrong surgery, accounting for 8% of reports. 

Addressing this persistent hazard has proven to be a thorny problem. Hospitalized patients are not feeling their best, might be disoriented, are in an unfamiliar environment and might feel well enough to stand up — despite instructions from their care team to ring a call bell. 

Sg2 found that hospitals with no fall-prevention sensor technologies experience 20% to 30% higher fall rates. Facilities with some sensor investment see a 10% to 20% average reduction in falls, while hospitals with high sensor spend averaged 20% to 30% fewer patient falls. 

“Hospitals that embrace an integrated, data-driven approach — combining clinical best practices with bed, chair and toilet sensors along with other sensor technologies — are better positioned to safeguard patients, protect reimbursements and lead in safety innovation,” the report concludes. “An effective fall prevention strategy can even garner $14,600 in net avoided costs per 1,000 patient days.”

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