Improving the Use of Mobile Medical Alert Devices in the Elderly
type: CreativeWork
description: Background In relation to falls, 30% of elders experience the danger of an inability to return to get back up (Taylor et al., 2016). This critical period is called a “long-lie,” and can result in catastrophic medical complications such as dehydration, internal bleeding, pressure sores, rhabdomyolysis, or death (Taylor et al., 2016; Lipsitz, Tchall, & Klickstein, 2016). Fall detection devices (FDD) send an alert to summon the assistance of a telephone responder; who notifies family and emergency services to prevent fall from becoming a catastrophe (Feldwiser, 2016). Purpose The purpose of this DNP quality improvement (QI) project is to increase the knowledge, attitude, and willingness of residents of an assisted living facility to utilize FDDs. Design Eligible participants were given two surveys, one prior to viewing the informational video, and another after viewing the video. The surveys consisted of eight (six point) Likert scale questions ranging from ‘strongly disagree’ to ‘strongly agree.’ The process allowed a descriptive analysis between the survey answers for comparisons of knowledge, attitude and willingness towards wearing FDDs. Setting The survey was conducted at a 150 unit assisted living apartment style community called Madison Meadows in Phoenix, Arizona (Appendix B). The residents range from wheelchair dependent to fully functional, but all share similar risks for poor outcomes related to an undetected fall. Methods The (QI) project utilizes the power of CAPTology (computes as persuasive technology) to deliver an informational video to change the participants’ perceptions from negative to positive regarding FDD use. This may occur without realization; a behavioral modification has occurred. Limitations The sample size was limited, allowing bias and decreased generalizability. Some participants were able to discuss survey questions prior to participation. This was a onetime look at one facility. The questionnaires may have been to arduous as some parti…
abstract: Background In relation to falls, 30% of elders experience the danger of an inability to return to get back up (Taylor et al., 2016). This critical period is called a “long-lie,” and can result in catastrophic medical complications such as dehydration, internal bleeding, pressure sores, rhabdomyolysis, or death (Taylor et al., 2016; Lipsitz, Tchall, & Klickstein, 2016). Fall detection devices (FDD) send an alert to summon the assistance of a telephone responder; who notifies family and emergency services to prevent fall from becoming a catastrophe (Feldwiser, 2016). Purpose The purpose of this DNP quality improvement (QI) project is to increase the knowledge, attitude, and willingness of residents of an assisted living facility to utilize FDDs. Design Eligible participants were given two surveys, one prior to viewing the informational video, and another after viewing the video. The surveys consisted of eight (six point) Likert scale questions ranging from ‘strongly disagree’ to ‘strongly agree.’ The process allowed a descriptive analysis between the survey answers for comparisons of knowledge, attitude and willingness towards wearing FDDs. Setting The survey was conducted at a 150 unit assisted living apartment style community called Madison Meadows in Phoenix, Arizona (Appendix B). The residents range from wheelchair dependent to fully functional, but all share similar risks for poor outcomes related to an undetected fall. Methods The (QI) project utilizes the power of CAPTology (computes as persuasive technology) to deliver an informational video to change the participants’ perceptions from negative to positive regarding FDD use. This may occur without realization; a behavioral modification has occurred. Limitations The sample size was limited, allowing bias and decreased generalizability. Some participants were able to discuss survey questions prior to participation. This was a onetime look at one facility. The questionnaires may have been to arduous as some parti…
author: Conway, John L.
language: en
date published: 2019
date modified: 2026-07-24T00:57:34Z
provider: University of Arizona
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: The University of Arizona.

PropertyValue
property ID: Handle
value: http://hdl.handle.net/10150/633058