TECHNOLOGY TO PROTECT HIPS IN SERIOUS FALLS - PRELIMINARY EVIDENCE

Abstract

Abstract Major injuries from falling in the older adult population is a tragic outcome that is growing in number. There is limited evidence of methodology to avoid major injuries from falls for those most at risk. Hip fractures are a catastrophic outcome from falls that incur cost to the individual, family and healthcare system. A study is currently underway in older adult living settings designed to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of a wearable smartbelt that deploys a protective airbag around the hips prior to landing on the ground as a mitigation for fall-related major hip injuries. The smartbelt technology includes embedded sensors and WiFi connection for data sharing. The primary endpoint of the study is to examine the efficacy and safety of the smartbelt in a population of older adults with high-risk profile of falls and major hip injuries. The study will be a comparative analysis of rate of major hip injuries from falls between a retrospective control group and a selected intervention group wearing the smartbelt for 6 months with all subjects continuing to receive standard of care for fall injury mitigation. Implementation methodology of clinical study performance in the care settings and integration into plan of care will be outlined. Outcomes from the enrolled subjects to date in the study will be shared including fall risk factors, fall events and injuries from falls reported.